Question
Which of the following ether, on hydrolysis, gives two different products that are successive members of the homologous series?
MHT CET
Chemistry
Alcohols Phenols and Ethers
2026
MHT CET 2026 (16 April Shift 2)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. Methoxymethane
- B. Methoxypropane
- C. Ethoxypropane
- D. 1-Methoxypropane
Answer
C. Ethoxypropane
Step-by-step solution
Hydrolysis of an ether R-O-R' yields two alcohol molecules, R-OH and R'-OH. For the products to be successive members of a homologous series, they must differ by exactly one -CH_2- unit. This means the alkyl groups R and R' must differ by one carbon atom. Methoxymethane (CH_3-O-CH_3) gives two molecules of methanol, which are identical. Methoxypropane (CH_3-O-C_3H_7) gives methanol and propanol, which differ by two carbon atoms. Ethoxypropane (C_2H_5-O-C_3H_7) gives ethanol (C_2H_5OH) and propanol (C_3H_7OH). These are successive members of the alcohol homologous series as they differ by one -CH_2- group. Answer: Ethoxypropane
Related: Chemistry — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers · All PYQ Banks