Q34 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (17 April Shift 2) · Chemistry
Which of the following alcohols on addition of Lucas reagent reacts fast and turns the reagent turbid instantly.
- An - Butyl alcohol
- Bsec - Butyl alcohol
- Ciso - Butyl alcohol
- Correct answerDtert - Butyl alcohol
Solution
Lucas reagent is a mixture of concentrated $\text{HCl}$ and anhydrous $\text{ZnCl}_2$.
The reaction of alcohols with Lucas reagent proceeds via an $S_N1$ mechanism, which involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate.
The rate of reaction depends on the stability of the carbocation formed. The order of stability of carbocations is tertiary $>$ secondary $>$ primary. Therefore, the reactivity of alcohols towards Lucas reagent follows the order: tertiary $>$ secondary $>$ primary.
Tertiary alcohols react instantly to form an insoluble alkyl halide, producing immediate turbidity.
Secondary alcohols react in about 5 minutes to produce turbidity.
Primary alcohols do not produce turbidity at room temperature.
Among the given options, tert-butyl alcohol is a tertiary alcohol, so it forms a stable tertiary carbocation and reacts instantly to give turbidity.
n-butyl alcohol and iso-butyl alcohol are primary alcohols, while sec-butyl alcohol is a secondary alcohol.
Answer: tert - Butyl alcohol
The reaction of alcohols with Lucas reagent proceeds via an $S_N1$ mechanism, which involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate.
The rate of reaction depends on the stability of the carbocation formed. The order of stability of carbocations is tertiary $>$ secondary $>$ primary. Therefore, the reactivity of alcohols towards Lucas reagent follows the order: tertiary $>$ secondary $>$ primary.
Tertiary alcohols react instantly to form an insoluble alkyl halide, producing immediate turbidity.
Secondary alcohols react in about 5 minutes to produce turbidity.
Primary alcohols do not produce turbidity at room temperature.
Among the given options, tert-butyl alcohol is a tertiary alcohol, so it forms a stable tertiary carbocation and reacts instantly to give turbidity.
n-butyl alcohol and iso-butyl alcohol are primary alcohols, while sec-butyl alcohol is a secondary alcohol.
Answer: tert - Butyl alcohol
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.