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.
![Updated ZRW: 1-20-14
Post lab Questions:
1. Considering the reaction you just ran, and assuming you've obtained a mixture of the
following compounds (rather than the desired product) in the organic layer after
performing the reaction. What experimental error could have led to these products?
H.
(1:1 mixture)
2. Propose a synthesis of the following molecule using benzene as your starting material:
H3C
OH
3. For the reaction you reformed, we quenched the reaction with ammonium chloride in
order to protonate the alkoxide ion generated from the reaction (below), What would our
product be if we instead added methyl iodide instead of ammonium chloride?
In your reaction:
OH
H-N-H CI
+ NH3
CI
The proposed reaction:
H-C-I
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