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.
![**Synthesis and Mechanism**
**Problem 7:**
**Preparation of the Compound**
The compound shown below is synthesized using a mixture of formaldehyde and ethyl acetoacetate under basic conditions, followed by acid-catalyzed decarboxylation. Describe all the steps and mechanisms involved in the preparation of this compound.
**Step-by-Step Mechanism:**
1. **Initial Reactants:**
- Formaldehyde (HCHO)
- Ethyl acetoacetate (CH3COCO2Et)
2. **Condensation Reaction:**
a. The reaction begins with the formation of an enolate from ethyl acetoacetate under basic conditions.
b. The enolate then reacts with formaldehyde through an aldol condensation, forming a β-hydroxy ester intermediate.
3. **Aldol Condensation:**
- The β-hydroxy ester undergoes dehydration (removal of water), resulting in the formation of a carbon-carbon double bond, leading to an α,β-unsaturated ester.
4. **Cyclization:**
- The condensation product undergoes intramolecular cyclization leading to the formation of a six-membered cyclic compound.
5. **Decarboxylation:**
a. The compound undergoes acid-catalyzed decarboxylation which removes the carboxyl group (CO2Et), resulting in the formation of the final compound.
**Depicted Compound:**
- A cyclic ketone with a methyl group (CH3) at one position and an ester group (CO2Et) at another position of the six-membered ring.
**Mechanism Visualization:**
The provided molecular structure in the image illustrates the final cyclic compound with its specific functional groups such as the ketone (carbonyl group) and ester (CO2Et group) attached to the cyclohexane ring.
**Diagram Explanation:**
- The hexagon represents a six-membered ring (cyclohexane) with a carbonyl group (C=O) and an ester group (CO2Et) attached.
- Two double bonds are located within the ring indicating conjugation.
- A methyl group (CH3) is attached to one carbon of the ring, and an ester group (CO2Et) is attached to the adjacent carbon.
Understanding these mechanisms and the steps will help in comprehending how complex organic compounds can be synthesized using specific reactions and](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fa81b2869-5809-4817-8a75-c82e8e9a868b%2Fa31c8d54-5a1c-4573-93de-5d61c12407fd%2F2j3oe5t_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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