Question

Statement - I: \(\text{Ph-O-CH}_2\text{Ph} \xrightarrow[\text{HI}]{\Delta}\) Product is mixture of benzyl alcohol and iodobenzene.
Statement - II: \(\text{Ph-O-CH}_2\text{Ph}\), O-CH\(_2\) bond cleavage takes place during reaction with HI.

• A. Statement-I is incorrect and statement-II is correct
• B. Statement-I is correct and statement-II is incorrect
• C. Both statements are correct
• D. Both statements are incorrect

Hint:

In the reaction of benzyl ethers with HI, the C-O bond cleavage occurs, leading to the formation of benzyl alcohol and iodobenzene. The reaction proceeds via protonation of the oxygen, which facilitates the cleavage of the C-O bond.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyzing Statement-I.
The given reaction is the cleavage of a benzyl ether (Ph-O-CH\(_2\)Ph) with HI.
The reaction mechanism is as follows:
\[ \text{Ph-O-CH}_2\text{Ph} \xrightarrow[\text{HI}]{\Delta} \text{Benzyl alcohol (C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_2\text{OH}) + \text{Iodobenzene (C}_6\text{H}_5\text{I}) \] This results in the formation of benzyl alcohol and iodobenzene. Therefore, Statement-I is incorrect, as the product is a mixture of benzyl alcohol and iodobenzene, not just a single product.
Step 2: Analyzing Statement-II.
Statement-II correctly describes the cleavage of the C-O bond (O-CH\(_2\) bond) during the reaction with HI. The mechanism involves the protonation of the oxygen atom, which weakens the bond, leading to the formation of benzyl alcohol and iodobenzene. Therefore, Statement-II is correct.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Since Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct, the correct answer is option (A). Final Answer: Option (A) Statement-I is incorrect and statement-II is correct.