Explain why the reactivity of alcohols with hydrogen halides is in order; tertiary > secondary > primary alcohols.         

Hydrogen halides react alcohols via formation of carbonium ions

Tertiary alcohols react fast because tertiary carbonium ions are stable readily formed from tertiary alcohols; and secondary alcohols are less reactive the tertiary alcohol because secondary carbonium ions are less readily formed; similarly primary alcohols are less reactive than secondary alcohols because primary carbonium ions are unstable and less likely to form.

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Dr. Bbosa Science