MHT CET202525 Apr 2025Evening ShiftChemistryHaloalkanes and HaloarenesActual
Identify the product formed when 2-Bromobutane is heated with aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.
Options
- ABut-1-ene
- BBut -2-ene
- CButan -1-ol
- DButan -2-ol
Correct answer
D. Butan -2-ol
Step-by-step solution
2-Bromobutane ( CH₃CH(Br)CH₂CH₃ ) is a secondary alkyl halide reacting with sodium hydroxide, a strong nucleophile and base, in aqueous solution under heating. The polar protic solvent facilitates solvation and favors nucleophilic substitution. Hydroxide ion attacks the electrophilic carbon, displacing bromide via S_N2 : CH₃CH(Br)CH₂CH₃ + OH- CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃ + Br^- , yielding butan-2-ol. Concurrently, elimination may occur via E2 , abstracting a -hydrogen to form either but-1-ene or but-2-ene: CH₃CH(Br)CH₂CH₃ + OH-