What is the main purpose of using ethanol in the hydrolysis reaction of haloalkanes?

The main purpose of using ethanol in the hydrolysis reaction of haloalkanes is to aid in mixing the immiscible reagents. Ethanol is a polar solvent that can dissolve both organic and inorganic species, making it an effective medium for reactions that involve substances with varying solubility. In the case of haloalkane hydrolysis, the haloalkane (typically non-polar) and water (polar) do not mix well due to differences in polarity. By using ethanol, which has properties that allow it to bridge this gap, the two phases can mix better, facilitating the reaction between the haloalkane and hydroxide ions from the water.

The ability of ethanol to dissolve both types of reactants allows for more effective collisions between reactant molecules, leading to an improved reaction rate without altering the inherent reaction mechanism. As a result, the hydrolysis reaction can proceed more efficiently.

Other options may imply benefits like increased nucleophilicity, temperature manipulation, or acceleration of the reaction time, but these do not address the core benefit that ethanol provides in terms of solubility and phase mixing.