The ΔH^o_{rxn} for abstracting each of the possible hydrogen atoms of propane by a bromine atom is indicated below. Based on the data and the fact that the starting materials are the same, what might be surmised about the relative energies of activation for the two reactions?
Do the transition states more closely resemble the reactants or the products?
CH_3—CH_2—CH_3 + Cl^. CH_3—CH_2—CH_2^.+ HCl ΔH° = –20 kJ mole^{−1}
CH_3—CH_2—CH_3 + Cl^. CH_3—\dot{CH}—CH_3 + HCl ΔH° = –33 kJ mole^{−1}
The activation energy must be smaller for the second reaction because it is the more exothermic reaction. The transition state for this reaction must more closely resemble the reactant than for the first reaction.