Ethers and Phenols Flashcards
What are ethers?
Ethers are composed of an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl groups of general formula R-O-R’.
What does aliphatic mean?
containing only C and H atoms.
How are ethers named in the common system?
the two groups on the sides next to the Oatom are named followed by ether. e.g dimethyl ether CH3-O-CH3
How are ethers named in the systematic system?
the alkoxy (RO-) groups are named as substituents e.g methods methane CH3-O-CH3
Can ethers form H bonds?
Yes but not between two ethers, only between ether and water.
What makes ethers good solvents?
The linkage makes them exert to many chemical reagents.
Are ethers good bases?
Ethers are weak lewis bases and can be protonated in the presence of strong acid (HCl)
How are ethers produced?
using alcohol or its derivatives e.g an alcohol and an alkyl halide in the presence of NaOCH3
What are phenols?
Toxic white crystalline solids with a sweet tarry odour.
What is the structure of a phenol?
An OH group bound to a phenyl ring
What affects the acidity of phenols?
The substituent groups on the ring.
How does electrophilic aromatic substitution occur?
The Freidel Crafts acylation reaction:
adding an acyl group to another molecule (using AlCl3 as a catalyst) allows the OH group to react with the catalyst.
What type of director are phenols?
ortho-para directors (can brominate 3 times in bromine water)
