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:** Major Organic Products of Given Reactions
**Introduction:**
This section covers the identification of major organic products for two specific reactions involving cycloalkenes and alkenes with reagents and conditions typically used to modify the compounds’ structure.
**Reactions:**
**(a) Hydrogenation Reaction:**
- **Reactants:**
- The structure shown is a cycloalkene with an isopropyl group and a double bond in the hexagonal ring.
- It undergoes a reaction with dihydrogen (H₂).
- **Process:**
- The hydrogenation process involves the addition of hydrogen across the double bond, leading to the saturation of the alkene to an alkane.
- **Expected Major Product:**
- The double bond in the cyclohexene will transform into a single bond under hydrogenation, yielding a cyclohexane with an isopropyl group attached.
**(b) Oxymercuration-Demercuration Reaction:**
- **Reactants:**
- Consists of a cyclohexene with a terminal double bond.
- Reagents include mercury(II) trifluoroacetate [(CF₃COO)₂Hg] in methanol (CH₃OH), followed by sodium borohydride (NaBH₄).
- **Process:**
1. **Oxymercuration:**
- The alkene reacts with mercury(II) trifluoroacetate in methanol. This step adds a methoxy group (OCH₃) to the more substituted carbon of the double bond, forming a mercurinium ion intermediate.
2. **Demercuration:**
- Sodium borohydride reduces the intermediate to replace the mercury group with hydrogen, resulting in an alcohol.
- **Expected Major Product:**
- The final product is a substituted cyclohexane with an ethyl and an alcohol group formed from methanol addition.
**Conclusion:**
Understanding these reactions highlights essential organic synthesis techniques, allowing the transformation of simple alkenes into more complex and functionalized compounds. Hydrogenation and oxymercuration-demercuration offer valuable strategies for converting alkenes to alkanes and alcohols, respectively.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fdc1721bb-87af-4432-b926-b704463d725f%2F77917ead-cba5-49bc-a76b-1d8536ca8d23%2Fno48u_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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