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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Alkyl halides are prepared by which of the following reaction(s)? I. CH3CH2OH+HClanh.ZnCl2CH_3CH_2OH + HCl \xrightarrow{anh. ZnCl_2} II. CH3CH2OH+HClCH_3CH_2OH + HCl \rightarrow III. (CH3)3COH+HCl(CH_3)_3COH + HCl \rightarrow IV. (CH3)2CHOH+HClanh.ZnCl2(CH_3)_2CHOH + HCl \xrightarrow{anh. ZnCl_2}

A

I, III, and IV

B

I and II

C

Only IV

D

III and IV

Step-by-Step Solution

The reaction of alcohols with HCl to form alkyl halides involves the cleavage of the C-O bond. The reactivity order of alcohols towards this reaction is Tertiary (33^\circ) > Secondary (22^\circ) > Primary (11^\circ).

  1. Reactions I & II (Primary Alcohol): Primary alcohols are the least reactive. The reaction with HCl requires a catalyst, anhydrous zinc chloride (ZnCl2ZnCl_2), to facilitate the cleavage of the strong C-O bond (Groves' process). Therefore, Reaction I proceeds, but Reaction II (without catalyst) does not occur efficiently at room temperature.
  2. Reaction III (Tertiary Alcohol): Tertiary alcohols are highly reactive due to the stability of the intermediate carbocation. They react readily with concentrated HCl even in the absence of a catalyst (simply by shaking) at room temperature. Thus, Reaction III proceeds.
  3. Reaction IV (Secondary Alcohol): Secondary alcohols have intermediate reactivity and, like primary alcohols, generally require the presence of anhydrous ZnCl2ZnCl_2 as a catalyst to generate the alkyl halide. Thus, Reaction IV proceeds.
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