Question

Which of the following (A) or (B) will be the major product in the reaction given below? Give a suitable reason for your answer.
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{Br} + \text{KOH} \rightarrow \]

Answer 1

The reaction of CH3CH2CH2Br with KOH will likely lead to the formation of CH3CH2CH2OH (ethanol), since KOH acts as a base and will induce an elimination (E2) reaction under the appropriate conditions. In this case, the major product will be ethanol due to the substitution of the bromine atom by the hydroxide ion in an SN2 mechanism