Question

how we can convert methyl alcohol into ethyl alcohol?

Answer 1

The chemical process of converting Methyl alcohol to ethyl alcohol is as below:

Stage 1:

CH₃OH ₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋ (SOCl₂) → CH₃Cl

Step 2:

CH₃Cl ₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋ ( KCN ) →CH₃CN

Step 3:

CH₃CN ₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋ ( Hydrolysis H₃O⁺) → CH₃COOH

Step 4

CH₃COOH⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻⁻ (LiAlH₄) → CH₃CH₂OH

Answer 2

Answer: The conversion is given below.

Explanation:

The above conversion is carried out in various steps:

Step 1: Converting methyl alcohol to chloromethane

When methyl alcohol reacts with hydrogen chloride, it leads to substitution of alcoholic group and results in the formation of chloromethane.

Step 2: Converting chloromethane to ethanenitrile.

When chloromethane is reacted with aqueous alcoholic solution of KCN, it results in the formation of ethanenitrile.

Step 3: Converting ethanenitrile to ethanoic acid.

When hydrolysis of ethaninitrile in hot acidic or alkaline medium is carried out, it leads to the formation of ethanoic acid.

Step 4: Converting ethanoic acid to ethyl alcohol.

When reduction of ethanoic acid is carried out i the presence of strong reducing agent such as $LiAlH_4$, it leads to the formation of ethyl alcohol or ethanol.

The equations for the above conversions is given in the image attached below.