Ethyl bromide can be converted into ethyl alcohol by :

Options

A. Heating with dilute hydrochloric acid and zinc
B. Boiling with an alcoholic solution of KOH
C. The action of moist silver oxide
D. Refluxing methanol

Answer

To convert ethyl bromide (C2H5Br) into ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH), we can use a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactant we have is ethyl bromide (C2H5Br). We need to find a suitable nucleophile that can replace the bromine atom in ethyl bromide.

**Hint:** Look for a strong nucleophile that can attack the carbon atom bonded to bromine.

### Step 2: Choose the Nucleophile
A common nucleophile that can be used for this conversion is hydroxide ion (OH⁻). Hydroxide can be derived from a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH).

**Hint:** Remember that hydroxide ion is a good nucleophile and can effectively replace halides in nucleophilic substitution reactions.

### Step 3: Set Up the Reaction
The reaction can be set up as follows:
C2H5Br + OH⁻ → C2H5OH + Br⁻

In this reaction, the hydroxide ion attacks the carbon atom in ethyl bromide, leading to the formation of ethyl alcohol and the release of bromide ion.

**Hint:** The reaction involves a nucleophilic substitution mechanism (S_N2), where the nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon.

### Step 4: Write the Final Product
The final product of the reaction is ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH).

**Hint:** Ensure that you check the structure of the product to confirm that it is indeed ethyl alcohol.

### Conclusion
Thus, ethyl bromide can be converted into ethyl alcohol by reacting it with a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to provide hydroxide ions.

**Final Reaction:**
C2H5Br + NaOH → C2H5OH + NaBr

### Summary of Steps:
1. Identify ethyl bromide as the starting material.
2. Choose hydroxide ion (OH⁻) as the nucleophile.
3. Set up the nucleophilic substitution reaction.
4. Write the final product as ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH).