Question

Why does alcohol deprotonates in the first mechanistic step in the reaction between Ethoxide ion and 4-chloro-1-butanol?? Does this always occur when there's alcohol and strong base? Pleass explain

Answer 1

Because OH group is a quite strong acidic properties, stronger then CH group, and ethoxide is a strong base, wich means, that it easily attaches proton. Such process always occure when there is an alcohol and a strong enough base.