Ethyl alcohol gives ethyl chloride with the help of

Options

A. `SOCl_(2)`
B. KCl
C. `Cl_(2)`
D. NaCl

Answer

To convert ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) into ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl), we can use thionyl chloride (SOCl2) as a reagent. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of the process:

### Step 1: Understanding the Reactants
- Ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) which is not a good leaving group in its current state.
- To convert it into ethyl chloride, we need to transform the -OH group into a better leaving group.

**Hint:** Identify the functional groups in the reactants and their properties.

### Step 2: Formation of a Better Leaving Group
- The hydroxyl group can be converted into a better leaving group by protonation. This can be achieved by using thionyl chloride (SOCl2).
- The lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom of the alcohol can attack the sulfur atom in SOCl2, forming a complex.

**Hint:** Consider how the structure of SOCl2 interacts with the -OH group.

### Step 3: Formation of a Protonated Alcohol
- When the oxygen attacks sulfur, it forms a tetrahedral intermediate where the oxygen is now positively charged (C2H5OH2+).
- This intermediate can then lose a water molecule (H2O), which is a good leaving group.

**Hint:** Remember that the formation of a carbocation is a key step in many substitution reactions.

### Step 4: Nucleophilic Attack by Chloride Ion
- After the loss of water, a carbocation (C2H5+) is formed.
- The chloride ion (Cl-) from the thionyl chloride can now attack this carbocation, leading to the formation of ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl).

**Hint:** Think about the stability of the carbocation and how the chloride ion acts as a nucleophile.

### Step 5: Byproducts Formation
- The reaction also produces sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as byproducts.
- The overall reaction can be summarized as:
\[ C2H5OH + SOCl2 \rightarrow C2H5Cl + SO2 + HCl \]

**Hint:** Always keep track of the reactants and products to ensure the reaction is balanced.

### Final Answer
Ethyl alcohol gives ethyl chloride with the help of thionyl chloride (SOCl2).

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