Alkyl halides and Alcohols Interconversions

Here is another useful scheme.

The -OH group of any compound may be replaced by -Cl using the reagent PCl₅.

Thus CH₃OH will react with PCl₅ and form CH₃Cl. POCl₃ and HCl are the side products. Also the halogen atom in alkyl halides may be replaced by -OH on heating with NaOH thus converting an alkyl halide back to an alcohol.

For instance Ethylbromide on heating with NaOH results in Ethyl alcohol.

Exercise:

From the information provided above please answer the following questions.