Convert ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH) to ethyl bromide (C₂H₅Br) by reacting it with phosphorus tribromide (PBr₃) or hydrobromic acid (HBr) with sulfuric acid.
Method 1: Using PBr₃ (Preferred)
- Reaction: 3C₂H₅OH + PBr₃ → 3C₂H₅Br + H₃PO₃
- Add phosphorus tribromide to ethanol
- Gentle heating may be required
- Produces ethyl bromide efficiently
Method 2: Using HBr/H₂SO₄
- Reaction: C₂H₅OH + HBr → C₂H₅Br + H₂O
- Mix ethanol with hydrobromic acid and concentrated sulfuric acid
- Heat the mixture
- H₂SO₄ acts as a catalyst and dehydrating agent
Importants Points:
- Reagents: PBr₃ (preferred) or HBr with H₂SO₄
- Reaction type: Nucleophilic substitution (OH replaced by Br)
- Product: Ethyl bromide (C₂H₅Br)