Kushagra Madhukar
Last Activity: 4 Years ago
Dear student,
Please find the answer to the question.
The reaction of alcohol with HCl involves a nucleophilic substitution reaction, which results in the formation of chloroalkanes.
The Cl- is not a good nucleophile and in alcohol –OH- acts a poor leaving group. Reaction with HCl is thus, carried out in presence of ZnCl2 (Lewis acid).
ZnCl2 forms a complex with oxygen of alcohol and converts the –OH- to a much better leaving group thereby giving a way to the rapid formation of chloroalkane.
Thanks and regards,
Kushagra