Comment on the following reactions
(i) `CH_3OH+NaClrarr` (ii) `CH_3OH+HClrarr`

Options

A. Both reactions take place easily.
B. Only reaction (ii) takes place.
C. Reaction (ii) takes places faster than (i).
D. None of the two reactions in possible.

Explanation

To comment on the reactions provided, we will analyze each reaction step by step.

### Reaction (i): `CH3OH + NaCl`

1. **Identify the Reactants**: The reactants are methanol (CH3OH) and sodium chloride (NaCl).
2. **Dissociation of NaCl**: Sodium chloride dissociates in solution to form Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.
3. **Nature of Methanol**: Methanol has a hydroxyl (-OH) group, which is polar. The oxygen atom in the -OH group is partially negative, making it a nucleophilic site.
4. **Nucleophilic Attack**: The Cl⁻ ion could potentially attack the carbon atom of methanol, but the -OH group is not a good leaving group.
5. **Leaving Group Consideration**: For a nucleophilic substitution reaction to occur, there must be a good leaving group. The hydroxyl group (-OH) is not a good leaving group because it is a strong base and does not leave easily.
6. **Conclusion for Reaction (i)**: Therefore, no reaction occurs between methanol and sodium chloride.

### Reaction (ii): `CH3OH + HCl`

1. **Identify the Reactants**: The reactants are methanol (CH3OH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).
2. **Dissociation of HCl**: Hydrochloric acid dissociates in solution to produce H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.
3. **Protonation of Methanol**: The H⁺ ion from HCl can protonate the -OH group of methanol, forming CH3OH2⁺ (oxonium ion).
4. **Formation of a Good Leaving Group**: The protonated form (CH3OH2⁺) has water (H2O) as a leaving group, which is a much better leaving group than hydroxide (OH⁻).
5. **Nucleophilic Attack by Cl⁻**: The Cl⁻ ion can now act as a nucleophile and attack the carbon atom of the oxonium ion (CH3OH2⁺).
6. **Formation of Product**: This results in the formation of methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and water.
7. **Conclusion for Reaction (ii)**: Thus, the reaction between methanol and hydrochloric acid does occur, resulting in the formation of methyl chloride.

### Final Comments:

- **Reaction (i)** does not occur due to the poor leaving group (OH⁻).
- **Reaction (ii)** occurs and leads to the formation of methyl chloride.

### Summary:
- **Reaction (i)**: No reaction occurs.
- **Reaction (ii)**: Reaction occurs, producing CH3Cl.