Question

What is the role of red phosphorus in the reduction of alkyl halide using hydroiodic acid?

Answer 1

The role of red phosphorus in the “reduction” of “alkyl halide” using hydroiodic acid is as an active reactants. The red phosphorus utilizes the bromine or iodine as catalyst and leads to the transformation of “alcohols” to “alkyl halides”.

In this conversion process, Phosphorus trihalide is formed as a key moderate. At the end of the process, the phosphoric acid is recovered as the byproduct.