Question

Conversion of methoxymethane to Iodomethane

Answer 1

The mechanism of the reaction of HI with methoxymethane involves the following steps:


When HI is in excess and the reaction is carried out at a high temperature, the methanol formed in the second step reacts with another HI molecule and gets converted to methyl iodide

Answer 2

Conversion of methoxymethane to Iodomethane is carried out by excess amount of HI.

Methoxymethane is CH₃OCH₃

Iodomethane is CH₃I

When excess amount of HI (hydroiodic acid) is reacted with CH₃OCH₃, it gives  CH₃OH and CH₃I as product. When the products are further treated with HI as it is in excess, they produce CH₃I as main product.

CH₃OCH₃ + HI → CH₃OH + CH₃I

CH₃OH + HI → CH₃I + H₂O

Thus, the conversion of methoxymethane to Iodomethane can be carried out by excess amount of HI.