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NEET CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and EthersEasy

Question

Which one of the following alcohols reacts instantaneously with Lucas reagent?

A

Option 1 (Structure Missing)

B

Option 2 (Structure Missing)

C

Option 3 (Structure Missing - Likely a Tertiary Alcohol)

D

CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2OH (n-Butyl alcohol)

Step-by-Step Solution

The reaction of alcohols with Lucas reagent (concentrated HCl and anhydrous ZnCl2ZnCl_2) proceeds via an SN1S_N1 mechanism involving a carbocation intermediate. The rate of reaction depends on the stability of the carbocation formed.

  1. Reactivity Order: Tertiary (33^{\circ}) > Secondary (22^{\circ}) > Primary (11^{\circ}).
  2. Observations:
  • Tertiary Alcohols: Form highly stable tertiary carbocations and react instantaneously to form alkyl halides, producing immediate turbidity.
  • Secondary Alcohols: React within approximately 5 minutes.
  • Primary Alcohols: Do not react appreciably at room temperature (turbidity appears only upon heating).

Option 4 (CH3CH2CH2CH2OHCH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH) is a primary alcohol and will not react instantaneously. Therefore, the correct option (Option 3) must represent a tertiary alcohol (e.g., 2-Methylpropan-2-ol).

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.

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