Question
What is Reaction with Halogen Acids in Reaction Involving the Cleavage of C-O Bond?
Answer
The reactivity order of halogen acids for this reaction are HI>H-Br>H-Cl.
As size of halide ion increases in the order Cl– < Br– I– and hence, nucleophilicity increases.
In case of asymmetrical ethers, the alkyl halide is always formed from the smaller alkyl group. If alkyl group is (3°), halogen gets attached with it. If one R group is phenyl and other is alkyl group, the cleavage of C-O bond produces phenol and alkyl halide.