Question

What happens when chloroform is boiled with aqueous solution of caustic potash?

Answer 1

When chloroform reacts with aq. KOH, the chlorines on the carbon atom are successively replaced by -OH groups from KOH via. nucleophilic reaction (SN2). In theory, first it forms CHCl2(OH), then CHCl(OH2), and then CH(OH)3, while eliminating KCl with each step.

Answer 2

When chloroform reacts with aq. KOH, the chlorines on the carbon atom are successively replaced by -OH groups from KOH via. nucleophilic reaction (SN2). In theory, first it forms CHCl2(OH), then CHCl(OH2), and then CH(OH)3,