Question

Out of HCl and SOCl2 which is preferred for converting ethanol into chloroethane?

Answer 1

When thionyl chloride reacts with an alcohol,

$SOCl_{2} + 2ROH$→ $(RO)_2SO + 2HCl$

When hydrochloric acid reacts with ethanol,

$C_2H_5OH +HCl$→$C_2H_5Cl + H_2O$

From the above chemical equations we see that thionyl chloride reacts with excess alcohol to produce sulfite esters. But HCl produces chloroethane which the desired product.

Hence, HCl is preferred for converting ethanol into chloroethane.