Question
The treatment of alkyl chlorides with aqueous KOH leads to the formation of alcohols but in presence of alcoholic KOH alkenes are major products. Explain.
Solution
Aqueous KOH contains only OH- ions, which acts as nucleophile and these bring about hydrolysis of alkyl chlorides to the corresponding alcohol.

On the other hand, alcoholic KOH contains ethoxide ions (C2H5O–), which are more basic than OH ions. Consequently, the ethoxide ions preferentially brings about dehydro halogenation to form alkenes e.g.,


On the other hand, alcoholic KOH contains ethoxide ions (C2H5O–), which are more basic than OH ions. Consequently, the ethoxide ions preferentially brings about dehydro halogenation to form alkenes e.g.,
