Question

$C_{6}H_{5}-O-CH_{2}CH_{3}+HI\overset{\Delta }{ \rightarrow }X+Y$
Identify $X$ and $Y$ in the above reaction?

• A. $X:C_{6}H_{5}OH; \, Y:CH_{3}CH_{3}$
• B. $X:C_{2}H_{5}I;Y:C_{6}H_{5}CHO$
• C. $X:C_{6}H_{5}I;Y:CH_{3}CH_{2}OH$
• D. $X:C_{6}H_{5}OH;Y:CH_{3}CH_{2}I$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

When an alkyl aryl ether is reacted with halogen acid (HX), the products are always phenol and an alkyl halide. Such ethers are cleaved at the alkyl-oxygen bond due to the more stable aryl-oxygen bond.