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NEET CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and EthersMedium

Question

Consider the following reaction sequence: EthanolPBr3XAlc. KOHY(ii)H2O,Δ(i)H2SO4,room temp.Z\text{Ethanol} \xrightarrow{PBr_3} X \xrightarrow{\text{Alc. KOH}} Y \xrightarrow[(ii) H_2O, \Delta]{(i) H_2SO_4, \text{room temp.}} Z The product Z is:

A

CH₂=CH₂

B

CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃

C

CH₃CH₂OSO₃H

D

CH₃CH₂OH

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Step 1 (Formation of Alkyl Halide): Ethanol (CH3CH2OHCH_3CH_2OH) reacts with Phosphorus Tribromide (PBr3PBr_3) to undergo nucleophilic substitution, forming Ethyl bromide (XX).
  • Reaction: 3CH3CH2OH+PBr33CH3CH2Br+H3PO33CH_3CH_2OH + PBr_3 \rightarrow 3CH_3CH_2Br + H_3PO_3 .
  1. Step 2 (Elimination): Ethyl bromide (XX) reacts with Alcoholic KOH. This is a dehydrohalogenation reaction (elimination) which yields Ethene (YY).
  • Reaction: CH3CH2Br+KOH(alc)CH2=CH2+KBr+H2OCH_3CH_2Br + KOH(alc) \rightarrow CH_2=CH_2 + KBr + H_2O .
  1. Step 3 (Hydration): Ethene (YY) reacts with concentrated H2SO4H_2SO_4 at room temperature to form ethyl hydrogen sulphate (CH3CH2OSO3HCH_3CH_2OSO_3H). Upon subsequent hydrolysis with water and heat, it regenerates Ethanol (ZZ). This is the standard laboratory method for converting alkenes to alcohols.
  • Reaction: CH2=CH2+H2OH+CH3CH2OHCH_2=CH_2 + H_2O \xrightarrow{H^+} CH_3CH_2OH.
  1. Conclusion: The reaction sequence converts ethanol to ethene and then back to ethanol. Thus, product Z is Ethanol (CH3CH2OHCH_3CH_2OH).

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and Ethersconsiderfollowingreactionsequencetextethanol

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