Functional Groups 4: Ethers

Question 1

What are ethers?

Answer 1

Generally unreactive
Often used as solvents
Do not react with dilute acids, bases, or nucleophiles
Can be cleaved by strong acids

Question 2

Describe properties of diethyl ether.

Answer 2

Useful solvent
Highly volatile and flammable

Question 3

What are epoxides/oxiranes?

Answer 3

A class of ethers containing a three-membered ring

Question 4

How do you synthesise epoxides?

Answer 4

Using peroxyacids and an alkene
E.g. mCPBA (meta chloroperbenzoic acid)

Question 5

What are two possible reactions of epoxides?

Answer 5

1) Nucleophilic attack on epoxides to form alcohols
2) Reaction with Grignard reagents

Question 6

Describe the Williamson ether synthesis.

Answer 6

1) Form alkoxide ion by deprotonating an alcohol
2) React with an alkyl halide in SN2 mechanism
3) Forms ether product and halide ion