JEE Main Chemistry question

Vicinal and geminal dihalides can be distinguished by:

(A)KOH(aq.)Correct
(B)KOH(alc.)
(C)Zn dust
(D)None of these

Answer: (A)

Solution

Hydrolysis with aqueous KOH converts a vicinal dihalide (halogens on adjacent carbons) into a diol (e.g. CH_2ClCH_2Cl \rightarrow HOCH_2CH_2OH), but converts a geminal dihalide (both halogens on the same carbon) into an unstable gem-diol that immediately dehydrates to a carbonyl compound (e.g. $

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Question ID VK-148304