Answer: Cleavage to alkyl iodides.
- A No reaction under typical conditions
- B Cleavage to alkyl iodides
- C Polymerisation according to standard textbooks
- D Oxidation in general practice
Correct answer: B. Cleavage to alkyl iodides
Explanation: HI cleaves ethers to form alkyl iodides and alcohols.
The phenoxide ion's negative charge spreads into the aromatic ring through resonance, lowering its energy and making phenol give up its proton more easily; an alkoxide ion (from a plain alcohol) has nowhere to delocalise the charge, making alcohols far less acidic.
Concept context
Oxygen-containing organic compounds. Understand the acidic nature of phenols, reactions of alcohols (dehydration, oxidation, esterification), and properties of ethers. Includes industrial applications and named reactions.