Reactivity order of primary(p), secondary(s) and tetriary (T) alcohols towards esterification is

Options

A. `T gt S gt P`
B. `S gt T gt P`
C. `P gt S gt T`
D. None of these

Answer

To determine the reactivity order of primary (P), secondary (S), and tertiary (T) alcohols towards esterification, we need to analyze how the structure of these alcohols affects their ability to undergo the esterification reaction.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Esterification**:
- Esterification is a chemical reaction where an alcohol (ROH) reacts with an acid (usually a carboxylic acid) to form an ester (RCOOR') and water (H2O).
- The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{ROH} + \text{R'COOH} \rightarrow \text{R'COOR} + \text{H2O} \]

2. **Analyzing Alcohol Types**:
- Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms attached to the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl (-OH) group.
- **Primary Alcohol (P)**: The -OH group is attached to a carbon that is connected to one other carbon.
- **Secondary Alcohol (S)**: The -OH group is attached to a carbon that is connected to two other carbons.
- **Tertiary Alcohol (T)**: The -OH group is attached to a carbon that is connected to three other carbons.

3. **Effect of Alkyl Groups**:
- Alkyl groups exert a +I (inductive) effect, which increases electron density on the carbon atom to which they are attached.
- In the case of tertiary alcohols, there are three alkyl groups that increase the electron density, making the carbon atom more crowded and less favorable for the reaction to occur.
- In secondary alcohols, there are two alkyl groups, and in primary alcohols, there is only one alkyl group.

4. **Reactivity Towards Esterification**:
- The more crowded the carbon atom is (as in tertiary alcohols), the less reactive it is towards esterification because the increased electron density makes it less favorable for the reaction to proceed.
- Conversely, primary alcohols, having the least steric hindrance and the least +I effect, are more reactive towards esterification.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the reactivity order of alcohols towards esterification is:
\[ \text{Primary (P)} > \text{Secondary (S)} > \text{Tertiary (T)} \]

### Final Answer:
The reactivity order of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols towards esterification is:
**Primary (P) > Secondary (S) > Tertiary (T)**.