Methanol reacts with calcium chloride to form an alcoholate of the structure :

Options

A. `CaCl_(2). 2 CH_(3)OH`
B. `CaCl_(2).4CH_(3)OH`
C. `CaCl_(2).3CH_(3)OH`
D. `CaCl_(2).CH_(3)OH`

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction of methanol with calcium chloride, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Reactants
We have two reactants: methanol (CH₃OH) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂). Methanol is an alcohol, and calcium chloride is a salt often used as a dehydrating agent.

**Hint:** Identify the functional groups and properties of the reactants involved.

### Step 2: Identify the Reaction Type
When methanol reacts with calcium chloride, it does not undergo dehydration as one might expect from a dehydrating agent. Instead, it forms an alcoholate complex.

**Hint:** Consider how dehydrating agents typically behave, but note that in this case, they form a complex instead.

### Step 3: Determine the Stoichiometry
Calcium chloride can coordinate with methanol molecules. In this case, it is known that calcium chloride can bind with four moles of methanol.

**Hint:** Think about how many methanol molecules can interact with one calcium chloride molecule based on coordination chemistry.

### Step 4: Write the Product Structure
The product formed from this reaction can be represented as calcium chloride coordinated with four moles of methanol. This can be written as:
\[ \text{CaCl}_2 \cdot 4 \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \]

**Hint:** Visualize the structure of the product and how the methanol molecules are associated with the calcium chloride.

### Step 5: Conclude the Reaction
The final product of the reaction is calcium chloride complexed with four moles of methanol, which is an alcoholate. Thus, the correct structure is:
\[ \text{CaCl}_2 \cdot 4 \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \]

**Hint:** Confirm that this structure aligns with the properties of both reactants and the nature of the reaction.

### Final Answer
The structure formed when methanol reacts with calcium chloride is:
\[ \text{CaCl}_2 \cdot 4 \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \]

This indicates that calcium chloride acts as a ligand to the methanol rather than dehydrating it.

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