JEE Main 2026 — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Question with Solution
JEE Main 2026 (23 January Shift 2)
Question
A mixed ether , when heated with excess of hot concentrated hydrogen iodide produces two different alkyl iodides which when treated with aq. NaOH give compounds and . Both and give yellow precipitate with NaOI. Identify the mixed ether :
Choose an option
Show full solutionCorrect option: A
Correct answer
A
Step-by-step explanation
The mixed ether (P) upon heating with conc. HI undergoes cleavage to form two different alkyl iodides.
Treatment with aq. NaOH converts these iodides to alcohols (Q) and (R).
Both (Q) and (R) giving yellow precipitate with NaOI indicates both are secondary or primary alcohols capable of iodoform reaction.
For both cleavage products to yield iodoform-positive alcohols, the mixed ether must have both alkyl groups capable of forming such alcohols.
Option (1) represents a symmetric mixed ether where both fragments upon HI cleavage yield alcohol products with methyl groups adjacent to OH (secondary alcohols) or methyl ketones after oxidation, both giving positive iodoform test.
Treatment with aq. NaOH converts these iodides to alcohols (Q) and (R).
Both (Q) and (R) giving yellow precipitate with NaOI indicates both are secondary or primary alcohols capable of iodoform reaction.
For both cleavage products to yield iodoform-positive alcohols, the mixed ether must have both alkyl groups capable of forming such alcohols.
Option (1) represents a symmetric mixed ether where both fragments upon HI cleavage yield alcohol products with methyl groups adjacent to OH (secondary alcohols) or methyl ketones after oxidation, both giving positive iodoform test.
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This is a previous-year question from JEE Main 2026, covering the Alcohols Phenols and Ethers chapter of Chemistry. PrepSharp catalogues every PYQ from JEE Main with a verified answer key and step-by-step solution prepared by IIT alumni — so you can search by chapter, topic or year and revise efficiently.