Reaction of Ethyl Phenyl Ether with HCl Under High Heat

What happens when ethyl phenyl ether reacts with HCl under high heat?

Choose the correct option:

a. Formation of alkyl halide and alcohol

b. Formation of ester

c. Formation of ketone

Answer:

The correct option is a. Formation of alkyl halide and alcohol.

When ethyl phenyl ether reacts with HCl under high heat, it undergoes hydrolysis to form an alkyl halide and an alcohol. The alkyl halide is produced by the replacement of the ether oxygen with the chlorine atom from HCl, while the alcohol is formed by the addition of water.

This reaction is important in organic chemistry as it demonstrates the transformation of an ether into more reactive functional groups like alkyl halides and alcohols.