Q43 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (17 April Shift 2) · Chemistry
Identify the product obtained when 2-chlorobutane is heated with aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide.
- ABut - 1 - ene
- BBut - 2 - ene
- CButan - 1 - ol
- Correct answerDButan - 2 - ol
Solution
When an alkyl halide is treated with an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH), it undergoes a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The hydroxide ion ($OH^-$) acts as a nucleophile and replaces the halogen atom.
For 2-chlorobutane, the reaction proceeds as follows:
$CH_3-CH(Cl)-CH_2-CH_3 + KOH(aq) \xrightarrow{\Delta} CH_3-CH(OH)-CH_2-CH_3 + KCl$
The chlorine atom at the second carbon is substituted by a hydroxyl group, resulting in the formation of Butan-2-ol.
Answer: Butan - 2 - ol
For 2-chlorobutane, the reaction proceeds as follows:
$CH_3-CH(Cl)-CH_2-CH_3 + KOH(aq) \xrightarrow{\Delta} CH_3-CH(OH)-CH_2-CH_3 + KCl$
The chlorine atom at the second carbon is substituted by a hydroxyl group, resulting in the formation of Butan-2-ol.
Answer: Butan - 2 - ol
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.