Question

Write the mechanism of the following reaction :

Answer 1

Primary alcohols such as ethanol react by SN2 mechanism with halogen acid such as HBr as follows:

Answer 2

This is a nucleophilic substitution reaction. It follows SN² mechanism. The mechanism is as follows:

1) Protonation of hydroxyl group to make it a good leaving group.

2) Displacement of water molecule by bromide ion to form alkyl bromide.