Alkyl iodide formation [HI]

Alkyl iodide formation (HI) Definition:

Tertiary alcohol can be converted to tertiary alkyl iodide with hydroiodic acid (HI).

Alkyl iodide formation (HI) Explained:

This reaction proceeds via an S_N1 mechanism which consists of three steps:

1. An acid/base reaction. Protonated oxygen from the hydroxyl group of alcohol makes a better leaving group.

2. The rate-determining step. Loss of the leaving group and carbocation formation.

3. Nucleophilic attack of iodide ion on the electron-deficient carbon make final product (alkyl iodide)