Question

Which of the following statements are correct?
(i) Alcohols react as nucleophiles in the reactions involving cleavage of $O-H$ bond.
(ii) Alcohols react as electrophiles in the reactions involving cleavage of $O-H$ bond.
(iii) Alcohols react as nucleophile in the reaction involving cleavage of $C-O$ bond.
(iv) Alcohols react as electrophiles in the reactions involving $C-O$ bond.

• A. (i) only
• B. (i) and (iv)
• C. (ii) and (iii)
• D. (ii) only

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Alcohols are versatile compounds. They react both as nucleophiles and electrophiles. The bond between $O-H$ is broken when alcohols react as nucleophiles.

(ii) The bond between $C—O$ is broken when they react as electrophiles. Protonated alcohols react in this manner.
Protonated alcohols as electrophiles