Question

When $CHC{{l}_{3}}$ is boiled with $NaOH$, It gives
A. Formic acid
B. Trihydroxy methane
C. Acetylene
D. Sodium formate

Answer 1

Hint: Trichloromethane, or Chloroform is a famous chemical compound and the formula of this chemical compound is $CHC{{l}_{3}}$. Chloroform undergoes a nucleophilic substitution reaction $({{S}_{{{N}^{2}}}})$ in the presence of a strong base In a ${{S}_{{{N}^{2}}}}$ reaction where a carbon – leaving group bond is broken and carbon-nucleophile bond formation takes place simultaneously.

Complete step by step solution:
Chloroform undergoes a nucleophilic ${{S}_{{{N}^{2}}}}$ reaction in the presence of a strong base like sodium hydroxide,$NaOH$. Chloroform has three electronegative chlorine $(Cl)$ Chlorine has an inductive effect $(-I)$ and they strongly attract the electron from the central carbon atom. and also from the hydrogen atom Therefore central carbon atom goes electron deficient A incoming strong nucleophile-like $O{{H}^{-}}$ attacks on the electron-deficient carbon atom and substituted all the chlorine atoms $(Cl)$with three hydroxyl group $(OH)$

Finally, Trihydroxy methane is produced but it is very unstable. Because more than one $(OH)$ group on one carbon atom is very unstable as the carbon atom becomes more electropositive and it can easily attack even weak nucleophiles. It undergoes further reaction and converts to the final product as formic acid by removing one water molecule forming Trihydroxy methane. Thus, the final product is stable.

Thus, Option (A) is correct

Note: Chloroform in the presence of sodium hydroxide is a useful reagent in the very famous Reimer-Tiemann reaction via electrophilic substitution reaction. In this reaction, a carbene intermediate is formed and the product salicylaldehyde is used as a crucial reagent and has many applications in our daily lives.