Question

Describe the action of alcoholic potassium hydroxide (aic. KOH) on :

(1) ethyl bromide 

(2) n-propyl bromide 

(3) isopropyl bromide 

(4) tert-butyl chlorIde.

Answer 1

(1) Ethyl bromide : When ethyl bromide (bromoethane) is heated with alcoholic potassium hydroxide (alcoholic alkali). ethene (gas) is formed by the dehydrobrominaion reaction.

(2) n-PropI bromide : When n-propyl bromide is heated with alcoholic potassium hydroxide, propene is formed.

(3) Isopropvl bromide : When isopropyl bromide (2-bromopropane) is boiled with alcoholic potassium hydroxide, propane is formed.

(4) Tert-hutyl chloride : When ten-butyl chloride (2-chloro-2-methyl propanc) is hcatcd with alcoholic KOH.