Question

Answer the following:

Name the two organic compounds which have the same molecular formula C2H6O. Will they react with PCl5? If they react, what are the products formed?

Answer 1

C₂H₅OH , Ethyl alcohol and CH₃OCH₃ Dimethyl ether. C₂H₅OH gives C₂H₅Cl with C₂H₅Cl with PCl₅ 

\[\ce{C2H5OH->[PCl5]\underset{\text{Ethyl chloride}}{C2H5Cl} + HCl + POCl3}\]

CH₃OCH₃ gives CH₃Cl with PCl₅  

\[\ce{CH3OCH3 + PCl5 ->\underset{\text{Methyl chloride}}{2CH3Cl + POCl3}}\]