Question

Anisole reacts with HI to give:

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Hint:

Ethers react with HI to form alcohols and alkyl halides. Aryl-oxygen bonds are resistant to cleavage, so only the alkyl part gets replaced.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The C-O bond in anisole (\(C_6H_5OCH_3\)) cleaves upon reaction with hydroiodic acid (HI). The reaction pathway, either SN1 or SN2, is condition-dependent. The general reaction is: \[ C_6H_5OCH_3 + HI \rightarrow C_6H_5OH + CH_3I \] Mechanism Details: 1. The methyl group is attacked by the iodide ion (I\( ^- \)), functioning as a nucleophile, which cleaves the ether linkage. 2. This process yields phenol (\(C_6H_5\)OH) and methyl iodide (CH\(_3\)I). 3. Nucleophilic substitution does not occur at the benzene ring due to its electron-rich nature. Consequently, phenol and methyl iodide are the resulting products.