Question

Phenyl methyl ether (anisole) reacts with HI to give phenol and methyl iodide and not iodobenzene and methyl alcohol because

• A. $\mathrm { I } ^ { - }$ ion prefers to combine with smaller group in order to minimize steric hindrance
• B. $\mathrm { I } ^ { - }$ ion is not reactive towards benzene
• C. Phenol is formed as a result of hydrolysis of iodobenzene
• D. Methyl alcohol formed during reaction reacts with $\mathrm { I } ^ { - }$ to form methyl iodide.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$\mathrm { I } ^ { - }$ ion prefers to combine with smaller group in order to minimize steric hindrance

Answer 2

In the first step ether gets protonated to from oxonium ion . $\mathrm { I } ^ { - }$ prefers to combine with smaller group in order to reduce steric hindrance.