Chemistry Alcohols & Phenols MDCAT 2013
PMDC Verified Question 89 of 95
Consider the following reaction

\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{PCl}_5 \longrightarrow \text{?}\)

What product(s) may be formed?
A
\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl}, \text{POCl}_3 \text{ and HCl}\)
B
\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl} \text{ and HCl}\)
C
\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl}\text{ only}\)
D
\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl} \text{ and POCl}_3\)
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: \(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl}, \text{POCl}_3 \text{ and HCl}\)
Concept:

Phosphorus pentachloride (\(\text{PCl}_5\)) reacts vigorously with compounds containing a hydroxyl (-OH) group, replacing it with a chlorine atom and generating specific byproducts.

Formula:

$$ \text{R-OH} + \text{PCl}_5 \longrightarrow \text{R-Cl} + \text{POCl}_3 + \text{HCl} $$

Solution:

  • Applying ethanol (\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}\)) to the general equation yields ethyl chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, and hydrogen chloride gas.


Why other options are incorrect:

Options B, C, and D are incomplete. They fail to account for all the atoms provided by the reactants (conservation of mass).

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