AJC 2013 qn 2biv
pic of qn here
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fgajn95r85n5qn2/20161024_141215_1-1.jpg?dl=0
i thought steric hindrance is often applied for groups directly
bonded to the atom of interest(in this case the carbonyl carbon)
?
the bulky R groups connected to the carbon adjacent to the
carbonyl carbon can also provide steric hindrance ?
Also it's the C atom connected to the carbonyl carbon in the
ester( R-COO-R) that's changing, not the carbonyl carbon that's
changing. the number of R groups connected to the adjacent carbon
can also cause the carbonyl carbon to be less e- deficient? The
more frequent cases we encounter is , the no. of R groups directly
connected to the C atom of interest, or ethyl or methyl group
(ok i do realise that benzene ring or long alkyl chains do
provide steric hindrance for a molecule, overall)
Steric hindrance applies to groups, not just individual atoms,
obviously. If a huge bus is blocking the entrance of your school
gate, do you expect only the student standing next to the bus to be
blocked, or all students in the area kena blocked? U coconaden!
Inductive effects fall rapidly with distance. Hence in this
question, only steric hindrance is a correct reason, the inductive
effect is insignificant. So fair enough, you're somewhat correct in
your thinking here.