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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3ap212

Ethylene oxide is heated with ethanol in the presence of a trace of acid. The main product is

A $C X_{2} H X_{5} OCH X_{2} CH X_{2} OC X_{2} H X_{5}$
B $HOCH X_{2} CH X_{2} OH$
C $CH X_{3} CHO$
D $HOCH X_{2} CH X_{2} OC X_{2} H X_{5}$ (2-ethoxyethanol)

Answer: D

Protonated ethylene oxide is opened by the nucleophile ethanol to give

HOCH X_{2} CH X_{2} - OC X_{2} H X_{5}

. With a large excess of ethanol and trace acid the mono-ether (a Cellosolve) is the main product.

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