Benzyl alcohol, although a primary alcohol, reacts very rapidly in the presence of hcl forming benzyl chloride. why is this?

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Paola Decker

Biology

8 June, 19:19

Benzyl alcohol, although a primary alcohol, reacts very rapidly in the presence of hcl forming benzyl chloride. why is this?

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Jasmine Silva · Answer 1

Benzyl alcohol, although a primary alcohol, reacts very rapidly in the presence of HCl forming benzyl chloride.

Because the positive charge is delocalized around the benzene ring. A free H ⁺ ion attacks the lone electron pair on the OH⁻ and forms H₂O, which is a good leaving group. This is the reason why the reaction is fast.