From amongst the following alcohols the one that would react fastest with conc. $\mathrm{HCl}$ and anhydrous…

From amongst the following alcohols the one that would react fastest with conc. $\mathrm{HCl}$ and anhydrous $\mathrm{ZnCl}_2$, is
  1. 2-Butanol
  2. 2-Methylpropan-2-ol
  3. 2-Methylpropanol
  4. 1-Butanol

Solution

$3^{\circ}$ alcohols react fastest with $\mathrm{ZnCl}_2 /$ conc. $\mathrm{HCl}$ due to formation of $3^{\circ}$ carbocation and $\therefore 2-$ methyl propan-2-ol is the only $3^{\circ}$ alcohol

Asked in: JEE Main 2010

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