Question

Give structures of the products you would expect when each of the following alcohol reacts with:
i. HCl – ZnCl₂
ii. HBr
iii. SOCl₂. a. Butan-1-ol. b. 2-Methylbutan-2-ol.

Answer 1

i. HCl – ZnCl₂:
a. Butan-1-ol being a primary alcohol does not react with Lucas reagent (HCl – ZnCl2) at room temperature. However, cloudiness appears only upon heating.

b. But 2-methylbutan-2-ol (3) reacts at room temperature giving cloudiness immediately.

ii. HBr:
Both alcohols react with HBr to give corresponding alkyl bromides.

iii. SOCl₂:
Both alcohols react to give corresponding alkyl chlorides.