Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Question:

On boiling concentrated \(HBr\), phenyl ethyl ether will give:

Options:

Phenyl and Ethyl bromide

Bromobenzene and Ethanol

Phenol and Ethane

Bromobenzene and Ethane

Correct Answer:

Phenyl and Ethyl bromide

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 1. Phenyl and Ethyl bromide.

When phenyl ethyl ether \((C_6H_5OC_2H_5)\) is boiled with concentrated \(HBr\), a cleavage reaction occurs, breaking the ether bond. The reaction typically proceeds via an S\(_N\)1 or S\(_N\)2 mechanism, depending on the nature of the alkyl or aryl group attached to the oxygen.

The products formed are phenol and ethyl bromide. The closest match in the options provided is: option 3: Phenol and Ethane.