Chemistry · Alcohols, Phenols and Ether
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Which of following is an example of electrophilic attack on alcohol?
- A
C2H5OH + CH3COOH H2SI4
- B
2C2H5OH + 2Na ----->2CH5ONa + H2
- C
C2S5OH + HCl ZnClL2 ----->C2H5CL+ H2O
- D
Both Options A and B are correct
This reaction represents esterification, where an alcohol (ethanol) reacts with a carboxylic acid (acetic acid) in the presence of an acid catalyst (H2SO4) to form an ester. The oxygen atom of the alcohol is nucleophilic and gets attacked by the electrophilic carbonyl carbon of the carboxylic acid.
This reaction represents esterification, where an alcohol (ethanol) reacts with a carboxylic acid (acetic acid) in the presence of an acid catalyst (H2SO4) to form an ester. The oxygen atom of the alcohol is nucleophilic and gets attacked by the electrophilic carbonyl carbon of the carboxylic acid.
This option is incorrect. 2C2H5OH + 2Na → 2CH5ONa + H2: This reaction shows the reaction of alcohol with sodium, a strong base, which results in the formation of sodium ethoxide and hydrogen gas. This is a nucleophilic attack on the acidic hydrogen of the alcohol, not an electrophilic attack on the alcohol itself.
This option is incorrect. C2S5OH + HCl ZnCl2 → C2H5Cl + H2O: This reaction, while involving an acid (HCl), is not a typical electrophilic attack on the alcohol. The ZnCl2 acts as a catalyst in this reaction, which substitutes the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the alcohol with a chloride ion (Cl-).
Only option A is correct
Tagged under Chemistry · Alcohols, Phenols and Ether · 2021