Question

Write the chemical reaction when ethyl alcohol is treated with SOCl₂ the presence of pyridine.

Answer 1

When ethyl alcohol reacts with thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) in the presence of pyridine, it follows an S_N2, resulting in the formation of ethyl chloride.

\[\ce{C2H5OH + SOCl2 ->[Pyridine][]C2H5Cl + SO2↑ + HCl}\]