Explain why thionyl chloride method is preferred over hydrogen chloride or phosphorus pentachloride method for the preparation of chloroalkanes.

Answer : The reaction involved for the preparation of chloroalkanes from alcohols using SOCl₂ (thionyl chloride) is given below:

Thionyl chloride method is preferred over hydrogen chloride or phosphorus pentachloride method for the preparation of chloroalkanes because both the by-products (SO₂ and HCl) in this reaction being gases escape leaving behind the chloroalkanes in almost pure state.

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