Question -
Answer -
In an aqueous solution, KOH almostcompletely ionizes to give OHтИТ┬аions. OHтИТ┬аionis a strong nucleophile, which leads the alkyl chloride to undergo asubstitution reaction to form alcohol.
On the other hand, an alcoholic solution ofKOH contains alkoxide (ROтИТ) ion, which is a strong base. Thus, it can abstract ahydrogen from the ╬▓-carbon of the alkyl chloride and form an alkene byeliminating a molecule of HCl.
OHтИТ┬аion is a muchweaker base than ROтИТ┬аion. Also, OHтИТ┬аion is highlysolvated in an aqueous solution and as a result, the basic character of OHтИТ┬аiondecreases. Therefore, it cannot abstract a hydrogen from the ╬▓-carbon.