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.
How these compounds are made?
![The image shows two chemical structures:
1. **Top Structure**:
- The structure consists of a benzene ring attached to a two-carbon chain.
- The two-carbon chain has an OH (hydroxyl group) attached to the first carbon.
- A sulfur atom (S) is attached to a one-carbon chain (methyl group) at the end.
2. **Bottom Structure**:
- The structure features a benzene ring connected to a three-carbon chain.
- An OH (hydroxyl group) is attached to the first carbon of the chain.
- An NH2 (amino group) is attached to the third carbon.
These structures represent organic compounds commonly studied in chemistry, illustrating different functional groups and their attachments to carbon frameworks.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fe5c9f2f0-9981-46f2-873a-49f21dd7c8d4%2F03561215-da81-4e88-bbd3-40eec5f8b8ea%2Fxaxw3ng_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
![](/static/compass_v2/shared-icons/check-mark.png)
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps with 2 images
![Blurred answer](/static/compass_v2/solution-images/blurred-answer.jpg)
![Chemistry](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305957404/9781305957404_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Chemistry](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781259911156/9781259911156_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Principles of Instrumental Analysis](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305577213/9781305577213_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Chemistry](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305957404/9781305957404_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Chemistry](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781259911156/9781259911156_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Principles of Instrumental Analysis](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305577213/9781305577213_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Organic Chemistry](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780078021558/9780078021558_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Chemistry: Principles and Reactions](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305079373/9781305079373_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781118431221/9781118431221_smallCoverImage.gif)