What happens when C_6H_5-O-R is treated with HX?

The correct answer is Option (1) → RX and $C_6H_5OH$ are formed

When an aryl–alkyl ether $(C_6H_5–O–R)$) is treated with a hydrogen halide (HX, especially HI or HBr):

• The C–O bond breaks at the alkyl side, not the aryl side.
• This is because the aryl–O bond has partial double bond character due to resonance and is not cleaved easily.
• Hence, the products are:

$C_6H_5–O–R + HX \rightarrow C_6H_5OH + RX$

Therefore, the correct option is RX and C₆H₅OH are formed.