Question

How are following compounds obtained from alcohols :

(1) ethyl chloride C₂H₅CI 

(2) isopropyl chloride (CH₃CHCI – CH₃) 

(3) tert-butyl chloride (CH₃)₃ – CI?

Answer 1

Alcohols in the presence of Lucas reagent which is a solution of concentrated HCI and ZnCI form alkyl halides. Hydrogen chloride is used with zinc chloride (Grooves process) for primary and secondary alcohols.

(3) Tertiary alcohols don’t need ZnCI₂ to react with HCI.

The order of reactivity of alcohols with a given halo acid is 3° >2°> 1°.