Reactions of Ethers
Ethers (R-O-R’) are compounds formed by replacing hydrogen atoms of an alcohol (R-OH compound) or a phenol (C6H5OH) by an aryl/ acyl group (functional group after removing single hydrogen from an aromatic ring). In this section, reaction, preparation and behavior of ethers are discussed in the context of organic chemistry.
Epoxides
Epoxides are a special class of cyclic ethers which are an important functional group in organic chemistry and generate reactive centers due to their unusual high reactivity. Due to their high reactivity, epoxides are considered to be toxic and mutagenic.
Williamson Ether Synthesis
An organic reaction in which an organohalide and a deprotonated alcohol forms ether is known as Williamson ether synthesis. Alexander Williamson developed the Williamson ether synthesis in 1850. The formation of ether in this synthesis is an SN2 reaction.
![1. Propose a synthesis for the following example.
{ = &
H CO₂Me
OH
2. Predict at least four aldol condensation products that could results from the reaction shown below.
on.d
H CO₂Me
H CO₂Me
H CO₂Me
3. Provide all the reagents required to effect the transformations shown below.
H CO₂Me
A
B
NaOH
C
HO
OH
$
Products
H CO₂Me
OH
OH
H
HO
Show the mechanism of the second reaction (the reaction that requires reagent B).](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F32e2663c-ed84-46cb-92be-e258c162a626%2Ff0224c49-e1bc-483c-9c3e-789615bf7b4e%2Fnrsce5o_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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