I think aqueous KOH leads to SN2 rxn and in presence of alcoholic koh elimination is major rxn

The Treatment of Alkyl Chlorides with Aqueous KOH

When alkyl chlorides are treated with aqueous KOH (potassium hydroxide), the major product formed is alcohols. This reaction is known as nucleophilic substitution.

Reaction Mechanism:
1. The hydroxide ion (OH-) from aqueous KOH acts as a nucleophile and attacks the carbon atom of the alkyl chloride.
2. This leads to the formation of an intermediate alkoxide ion, which is negatively charged.
3. The chloride ion is displaced as a leaving group.
4. Finally, the alkoxide ion picks up a proton from water, resulting in the formation of an alcohol.

Why Alcohols are the Major Product?
The reaction of alkyl chlorides with aqueous KOH leads to the formation of alcohols as the major product due to the following reasons:

1. Nucleophilicity of OH-: The OH- ion is a strong nucleophile due to its negative charge and high electron density. It readily attacks the carbon atom of the alkyl chloride, displacing the chloride ion. This nucleophilic attack is favored in an aqueous medium.

2. Polarity of the Solvent: Water is a polar solvent that stabilizes the charged species formed during the reaction. It solvates the alkoxide ion and helps in the displacement of the chloride ion.

3. Nature of the Leaving Group: Chloride ion is a good leaving group due to its electronegativity. It can easily dissociate from the alkyl chloride, allowing the nucleophilic attack by the hydroxide ion.

4. Stability of Alcohols: Alcohols are more stable than alkenes. Alkenes are relatively reactive and can undergo further reactions. On the other hand, alcohols are relatively stable and do not readily undergo further reactions. Therefore, the formation of alcohols is thermodynamically favored.

Overall, the reaction of alkyl chlorides with aqueous KOH proceeds via nucleophilic substitution, leading to the formation of alcohols as the major product due to the favorable reaction conditions and stability of alcohols.

The Treatment of Alkyl Chlorides with Alcoholic KOH

When alkyl chlorides are treated with alcoholic KOH (potassium hydroxide dissolved in alcohol), the major product formed is alkenes. This reaction is known as elimination.

Reaction Mechanism:
1. The alkoxide ion is generated by the deprotonation of the alcohol by KOH.
2. The alkoxide ion acts as a base and abstracts a proton from the alkyl chloride, leading to the formation of an alkene and a chloride ion.
3. The chloride ion acts as a leaving group.

Why Alkenes are the Major Product?
The reaction of alkyl chlorides with alcoholic KOH leads to the formation of alkenes as the major product due to the following reasons:

1. Base Strength of Alkoxide Ion: Alkoxide ions are strong bases due to the presence of the negatively charged oxygen atom. They readily abstract a proton from the alkyl chloride, leading to the formation of an alkene. This elimination reaction is favored