What is the product formed by boiling alcohol in 48% HBr?

When alcohol is boiled with 48% HBr, the primary reaction that occurs is the conversion of the alcohol into an alkyl bromide. This process involves the protonation of the alcohol by the hydrogen bromide, facilitating the substitution reaction where the hydroxyl group (-OH) is replaced by a bromide ion (Br⁻).

In this reaction, the hydroxyl group, which is a poor leaving group, is transformed into a better leaving group after protonation, allowing the bromide ion to substitute it effectively. This results in the formation of an alkyl bromide, which is characterized by the presence of a bromine atom bonded to the carbon that was initially part of the alcohol.

Other products like alkenes, alkanes, or esters are not formed in substantial amounts under these conditions. Alkenes could possibly form if dehydration occurs, but this typically requires higher temperatures or specific conditions favoring elimination rather than substitution. Alkanes would occur only if a more complex reduction process takes place, which is not the case here. Esters would result from reactions involving carboxylic acids or their derivatives, which is not applicable when simply treating alcohol with HBr.

Therefore, the main product formed from boiling