Alcohols can be obtained from haloalkanes by SN2 and SN1 reactions

 

Synthesis of alcohols using SN2

Primary haloalkanes react with sodium hydroxide to form alcohols. Secondary and tertiary haloalkanes eliminate to form alkenes.

 

sintesis-haloalcanos
 
Isopropyl bromide (secondary substrate) is removed by reacting with the hydroxide ion.
 
sintesis-haloalcanos
 
Synthesis of alcohols by SN1
Secondary and tertiary substrates react with water via the SN1 mechanism to form alcohols.
 
sintesis-haloalcanos
 
Ester hydrolysis
It is an interesting method to prepare alcohols from secondary haloalkanes. The haloalkane is converted into an ester by reaction with sodium acetate, to later be hydrolyzed in an acidic or basic medium, obtaining the alcohol.
 
sintesis-haloalcanos