Question

Diethyl ether can be decomposed by

• A. HI
• B. $NaOH$
• C. Water
• D. $KMnO_4$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

HI

Answer 2

On heating with concentrated Hydrogen iodide (HI) the C-O bond in ethers breaks forming alcohol and alkyl iodide. For example, $C _{2} H _{5}- O - C _{2} H _{5}+ HI \longrightarrow C _{2} H _{5}- I + C _{2} H _{5} OH$ On boiling with excess of concentrated Hydrogen iodide (HI), Alkyl iodide is formed. $C _{2} H _{5}- O - C _{2} H _{5}+2 HI \longrightarrow 2 C _{2} H _{5}- I + H _{2} O$