Which of the following reaction takes place when alkyl halide react with KOH in water?

Correct answer: A. Substitution reaction

  • A. Substitution reaction
  • B. Elimination reaction
  • C. Addition reaction
  • D. None of these

Explanation

Correct option is A.When an alkyl halide (haloalkane) reacts with KOH (potassium hydroxide) in water, the reaction that typically takes place is substitution reaction.This reaction is known as the nucleophilic substitution reaction. The halogen atom in the alkyl halide is replaced by the hydroxide ion (OH-) from the KOH. The general reaction can be represented as follows:R-X + KOH (aq) -> R-OH + KXWhere:R-X represents the alkyl halide (e.g., CH3-Cl, CH3-Br, CH3-I, etc.).KOH (aq) is the potassium hydroxide dissolved in water.R-OH represents the alcohol formed as a result of the substitution reaction.KX represents the potassium halide (e.g., KCl, KBr, KI) produced as a byproduct.In this reaction, the nucleophile (OH-) attacks the electrophilic carbon of the alkyl halide, and the halogen is displaced, leading to the formation of an alcohol.

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About Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides are named and related to their carbon-halogen structure, polarity and reactivity. The key reactions are nucleophilic substitution by SN1 and SN2 mechanisms and elimination by E1 and E2 mechanisms, including how substrate structure, nucleophile, base, solvent and temperature influence substitution versus elimination.

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