Question

Write the product of the reaction: $ \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O} \text{Na} + \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5 \text{Br} \to ? $

• A. \( \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O} \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5 \)
• B. \( \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5 \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \)
• C. \( \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{Br} + \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5 \text{O} \)
• D. \( \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O} \)

Hint:

In nucleophilic substitution reactions, the nucleophile (alkoxide in this case) displaces the leaving group (bromine) and forms a new bond with the electrophilic carbon.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The given reaction is a nucleophilic substitution, where the alkoxide ion \( \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O}^- \) (from the ethanol and sodium reaction) attacks the electrophilic carbon in the benzyl bromide \( \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5 \text{Br} \). This results in the substitution of the bromine atom by the ethoxy group \( \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O} \), forming phenylethanol (ethyl phenyl ether) as the product. 
Thus, the product is: \[ \text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O} \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5 \] The correct answer is \(\text{CH}_3 \text{CH}_2 \text{CH}_2 \text{O} \text{C}_6 \text{H}_5\).