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.
What is a possible major product?
![The image displays a chemical reaction involving methylcyclohexane and bromine. The reactant structure is 1-methylcyclohexane, a six-membered carbon ring with a single methyl group attached.
The reaction conditions specified are the presence of bromine (\( \text{Br}_2 \)) and light (represented by \( h\nu \)), indicating a photochemical reaction, likely a free radical halogenation. This suggests that bromine will be added to the hydrocarbon, likely substituting a hydrogen atom in a process that involves the formation and propagation of free radicals.
This type of reaction is commonly used to introduce halogens into organic molecules and is an example of a halogenation reaction that occurs under ultraviolet light.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fb2247daf-e6e1-4841-93f4-801ac9a165b4%2F57bef849-f780-4eb1-97c1-966796878c6a%2Fhoi43gw_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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