Question

$C-O$ bond in ether can be broken by:

• A. HI
• B. HCl
• C. HBr
• D. HF

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

In the reaction,
$RO{R}^{\prime }+HX⟶ROH+R^{\prime }X$
the correct order of reactivity of halogen acids is :
$HI>HBr>HCl$
The smaller alkyl group always forms alkyl halide while bigger alkyl group
(or aryl group) forms alcohol (or phenol).
$C{H}_{3}OCH{\left(C{H}_3\right)}_2+HI⟶C{H}_{3}I+{\left(C{H}_3\right)}_{2}CHOH$
$C{H}_{3}O{C}_6{H}_5+HI⟶C{H}_{3}I+\underset{\text{ Phenol }}{C_6{H}_{5}OH}$