NEETChemistryHaloalkanes and Haloarenes
An unknown alkyl halide 'X' undergoes substitution with KCN, followed by acidic hydrolysis to form an intermediate. This intermediate on treatment with Br ₂ /Red P followed by H ₂ O yields 2-bromobutanoic acid as the major product. Identify the starting alkyl halide 'X'.
Options
- A1-Chlorobutane
- B2-Chloropropane
- C2-Chlorobutane
- D1-Chloropropane
Correct answer
D. 1-Chloropropane
Step-by-step solution
The final product is 2-bromobutanoic acid, which is formed via the Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky (HVZ) reaction. Working backwards, the intermediate carboxylic acid before the HVZ reaction must be butanoic acid ( CH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ COOH ). Butanoic acid is formed by the acidic hydrolysis of butanenitrile ( CH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ CN ). Since the reaction of an alkyl halide with KCN involves a step-up of one carbon atom, the starting alkyl halide 'X' must contain 3 carbon atoms in a straight chain. Therefore, 'X' is 1-chloropropane ( CH