I keep getting “Inductive effect” questions wrong in Organic Chemistry — Basic Concepts. What's the trap?
thinking the inductive effect travels undiminished along a chain.
The usual trap: thinking the inductive effect travels undiminished along a chain. How to avoid it: it weakens rapidly with distance — mostly the nearby atoms feel it. Go back to the definition — a permanent shift of electron density through sigma bonds due to electronegativity differences.
Key point
Inductive effect
Common mistake
thinking the inductive effect travels undiminished along a chain.
Memory tip
it weakens rapidly with distance — mostly the nearby atoms feel it.
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