Structural Effects on Reactivity

Conclusion
Benzylic halides are reactive towards Nucleophilic substitution reaction while aryl
halides undergo Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution due to resonance effect, difference of
hybridization of carbon atom in C-X bond and electronic repulsion.
The rate of reaction of the reaction for the SN2 mechanism is 1 > 2 > 3 and it favors
polar aprotic solvent while the SN1 mechanism favors polar protic solvent and has a reaction rate
opposite in order to that of the S N2. The indication of positive results for both reaction processes
are the formation of precipitate and becoming turbid of the solution. The precipitation and
turbidity shows that crystalline NaCl or NaBr and insoluble AgCl or AgBr are formed. On the
other hand, benzylic halides also react with nucleophile via either SN2 or via SN1 processes.
Alcohols react at different rates, depending upon their structure. The appearance of
cloudiness indicates the formation of insoluble alkyl chloride.

Naphthalene is more reactive than benzene in oxidation reaction. Stabilization due to

aromaticity makes benzene unreactive.