Question

Which of the following compounds would be hydrolyzed by aqueous KOH most easily?

• A. \(\text{CH}_2 = \text{CH} - \text{Br}\)
• B. \(\text{CH}_3 - \text{CH}_2 - \text{Br}\)
• C. \(\text{CH}_3 - \text{CH} - \text{CH}_3\)
• D. \(\text{CH}_2 = \text{CH} - \text{CH}_2 - \text{Br}\)

Hint:

When hydrolyzing halides with aqueous KOH, compounds with alkene groups (as in option A) react more readily in substitution reactions due to their instability.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The compound that would be hydrolyzed most easily by aqueous KOH is \(\text{CH}_2 = \text{CH} - \text{Br}\) (Option A). This compound is a vinyl halide, where the halide (\(\text{Br}\)) is attached to an alkene (\(\text{C} = \text{C}\)). Aqueous KOH typically undergoes nucleophilic substitution or elimination reactions, and in this case, the vinyl halide undergoes substitution more readily due to the instability of vinyl halides. Therefore, \(\text{CH}_2 = \text{CH} - \text{Br}\) would be hydrolyzed most easily compared to the other alkyl halides listed in the options.