Acetaldehyde reacts with `Cl_(2)` ( in excess) to give `:`

Options

A. Chloral
B. Chloroform
C. Acetic acid
D. Trichloroacetic acid

Answer

To solve the problem of what acetaldehyde reacts with excess chlorine to produce, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
Acetaldehyde is represented by the chemical formula CH₃CHO. When it reacts with chlorine (Cl₂) in excess, we need to consider the nature of the reaction.

**Hint:** Remember that aldehydes can undergo halogenation reactions.

### Step 2: Understand the Reaction Mechanism
In the presence of excess chlorine, acetaldehyde will undergo a substitution reaction where the hydrogen atoms in the methyl group (CH₃) are replaced by chlorine atoms. This is a type of halogenation reaction.

**Hint:** Look for the hydrogen atoms that can be replaced by chlorine.

### Step 3: Determine the Product
As the reaction proceeds, three hydrogen atoms from the methyl group of acetaldehyde will be replaced by chlorine atoms. This results in the formation of 2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde (commonly known as chloral), which has the structure:

\[ \text{Cl}_3C-CHO \]

The aldehyde functional group (CHO) remains intact.

**Hint:** The naming of the product involves counting the number of chlorine atoms and identifying the functional group.

### Step 4: Write the Final Reaction Equation
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\[ \text{CH}_3CHO + 3 \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CCl}_3CHO + 3 \text{HCl} \]

Where:
- CH₃CHO is acetaldehyde,
- CCl₃CHO is 2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde (chloral),
- HCl is hydrochloric acid.

**Hint:** Make sure to balance the number of atoms on both sides of the equation.

### Conclusion
The final product of the reaction between acetaldehyde and excess chlorine is 2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde, also known as chloral.

**Final Answer:** Chloral (2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde)

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