Chemistry · Common types of organic reactions: Substitution, addition, elimination and rearrangement

Assertion Bromoacetic acid reacts with conc. NaOH to form -ethoxy acetic acid. R

Assertion Bromoacetic acid reacts with conc. NaOH to form \( \alpha \) -ethoxy acetic acid. Reason It is \( S_{N} 1 \) mechanism. Read the above assertion and reason and choose the correct statement regarding it.

  • A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
  • B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
  • C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
  • D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect

Step-by-step solution

Bromoacetic acid (BrCH2COOH) on reaction with concentrated NaOH typically undergoes nucleophilic substitution to form α-hydroxy acetic acid (glycolic acid) via an SN2 mechanism, not α-ethoxy acetic acid. The product mentioned, α-ethoxy acetic acid, would require an ethoxy nucleophile, not hydroxide. Additionally, the SN1 mechanism is unlikely for a primary alkyl halide, especially adjacent to an electron-withdrawing carboxyl group. Hence, both assertion and reason are incorrect.
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