Hydrolysis of trichloromethane with aqueous KOH gives

Options

A. Methanol
B. Ethanol
C. Acetic acid
D. Formic acid

Answer

To solve the question regarding the hydrolysis of trichloromethane (CHCl₃) with aqueous KOH, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structure of Trichloromethane**:
- Trichloromethane, also known as chloroform, has the molecular formula CHCl₃. It consists of one carbon atom (C) bonded to three chlorine atoms (Cl) and one hydrogen atom (H).

2. **Understand the Reaction with Aqueous KOH**:
- When trichloromethane reacts with aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH), a hydrolysis reaction occurs. KOH provides hydroxide ions (OH⁻), which will replace the chlorine atoms in the trichloromethane.

3. **Substitution Reaction**:
- The chlorine atoms in trichloromethane are replaced by hydroxyl groups (OH). The reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{CHCl}_3 + 3 \text{KOH} \rightarrow \text{C(OH)}_3 + 3 \text{KCl} \]
- Here, three chlorine atoms are substituted by three hydroxyl groups, resulting in the formation of a trihydroxy compound.

4. **Formation of Formic Acid**:
- The trihydroxy compound (C(OH)₃) is unstable and can undergo further reactions. It can lose a water molecule (H₂O) to form a double bond between the carbon and oxygen, resulting in the formation of formic acid (HCOOH).
- The reaction can be summarized as:
\[ \text{C(OH)}_3 \rightarrow \text{HCOOH} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

5. **Final Product**:
- The final product of the hydrolysis of trichloromethane with aqueous KOH is formic acid (HCOOH).

### Conclusion:
Thus, the hydrolysis of trichloromethane with aqueous KOH gives formic acid (HCOOH).

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