Question

Choose the most appropriate reagent(s) for conversion of 2-phenylethanol to (2-bromoethyl)-benzene. HBr, H2O NaBr, acetone Br2 PBr3 Br2, ROOR

Answer 1

Answer:

$PBr_{3}$ is the most appropriate reagent

Explanation:

$PBr_{3}$ is the most appropriate reagent for the given conversion.

Because in presence of $PBr_{3}$, -OH group is replaced by Br without any arrangement of the alcohol substrate.

Here -OH groups first attacks $PBr_{3}$ and replaces a $Br^{-}$ from it. This $Br^{-}$ gives a nucleophilic substitution reaction in the second step to break C-O bond and to form C-Br bond.

Full mechanism has been shown below.