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.
![**Title: Substitution Reaction of a Brominated Benzyl Compound with Hydroxide Ion**
**Objective:**
Draw the product formed when the structure shown undergoes substitution with OH⁻.
**Interactive 3D display mode information:**
**Description:**
The given structure is a brominated derivative of a benzyl compound. Specifically, it is a 2-bromo-2-phenylpropane molecule. In this structure, a bromine (Br) atom is bonded to a carbon (sp³ hybridized) which is part of a chain attached to a benzene ring (phenyl group).
**Substitution Reaction:**
In the presence of hydroxide ions (OH⁻), a nucleophilic substitution reaction will take place. The reaction involves the replacement of the bromine atom (Br) with a hydroxyl group (OH).
**Detailed Structure:**
1. The molecule has a bromine atom (Br) attached to a carbon that is also bonded to a phenyl group (a benzene ring) and a methyl group (CH₃).
2. The carbon with the bromine also has a hydrogen atom attached to it, represented with a wedge to indicate its three-dimensional orientation.
By carrying out the nucleophilic substitution, the bromine atom (Br) is replaced by a hydroxide ion (OH⁻), forming a new compound, 2-phenyl-2-propanol.
**Reaction Mechanism:**
\[ C_6H_5-CH(Br)-CH_3 + OH⁻ \rightarrow C_6H_5-CH(OH)-CH_3 + Br⁻ \]
This is a classical example of a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction (SN2), assuming ideal conditions are met for such a mechanism. The hydroxide ion attacks the carbon from the opposite side of the bromine atom, causing the bromine to leave as a bromide ion (Br⁻) and forming the product with the hydroxyl group (OH) attached.
**Conclusion:**
The resulting product of the reaction is 2-phenyl-2-propanol, indicating successful substitution of the bromine atom with a hydroxyl group through a nucleophilic substitution (SN2) mechanism.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fcdfb37fd-3e7e-4c5b-b9de-8b4cda26a712%2F0fcdbfb0-e3f6-4d96-8a6d-846ef671ef74%2Ff6g5t8_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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