Question

Methanol on reaction with SOCl₂ gives

• A. Methyl chloride
• B. Methane
• C. Ethyl chloride
• D. Methanal

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Methyl chloride

Answer 2

The reaction of an alcohol with thionyl chloride ($SOCl_2$) is a common method for preparing alkyl chlorides. In this reaction, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the alcohol is replaced by a chlorine atom (-Cl). The by-products, sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) and hydrogen chloride ($HCl$), are gases and escape easily, making the purification of the alkyl halide straightforward.

For methanol ($CH_3OH$), the reaction proceeds as follows:

$CH_3OH + SOCl_2 \rightarrow CH_3Cl + SO_2 \uparrow + HCl \uparrow$

The product formed is methyl chloride ($CH_3Cl$).