Ethers

Question 1

what are the 2 steps in a Williamson ether synthesis rxn?

Answer 1

1. DEprotonate the starting alcohol

2. Do SN2 to the resulting molecule with a primary or secondary alkyl halide

Question 2

what is the starting material/fx group when you do a Williamson ether synthesis rxn?

Answer 2

alcohol

Question 3

what do you have to use in order to deprotante an alcohol for a Williamson ether synthesis rxn?

Answer 3

strong base like NaH

Question 4

after you deprotonate an alcohol for a Williamson ether synthesis, does it become a nucleophile or an electrophile?

Answer 4

nucleophile!

Question 5

what products do you get when you make ethers in acid?

Answer 5

R-X, R-X, and H2O

Question 6

what are the 2 main steps when you react an ether in strong acid?

Answer 6

1. protonate

2. substitution

Question 7

If you have more than one R group to substitute in your ether/strong acid rxn, which substitution will occur first?

Answer 7

SNI for the tertiary R group