Which reagent is used to convert haloalkanes to alcohols?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which reagent is used to convert haloalkanes to alcohols?
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium chloride
Sodium acetate
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which reagent is used to convert haloalkanes to alcohols?
Step 1: Understand what haloalkanes are. They are organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen, and halogen atoms (like chlorine, bromine, or iodine).
Step 2: Know what alcohols are. Alcohols are organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom.
Step 3: Learn about nucleophilic substitution. This is a chemical reaction where a nucleophile (a species that donates an electron pair) replaces a leaving group (like a halogen) in a molecule.
Step 4: Identify the reagent used for this conversion. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base and a good nucleophile.
Step 5: Combine haloalkanes with sodium hydroxide. When you mix them, the sodium hydroxide will attack the carbon atom bonded to the halogen, replacing the halogen with a hydroxyl group.
Step 6: The result of this reaction is an alcohol, as the halogen is replaced by the -OH group.
