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.
![**Exercise Title: Forward Synthesis Proposal with Benzene**
**Prompt:**
Propose a forward synthesis for *one* of the two molecules below, using benzene as your starting material.
**Molecules to Synthesize:**
1. **Ethylbenzene Sulfonic Acid:**
- Structure: A benzene ring is substituted at the para position with a sulfonic acid group (SO₃H) and at the meta position with an ethyl group (C₂H₅).
2. **Nitrobenzoic Acid:**
- Structure: A benzene ring is substituted at the meta position with a nitro group (NO₂) and at the para position with a carboxylic acid group (COOH).](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fa1308c18-827c-41a1-b2ec-8a88ef0ba574%2F0e4614b8-b618-42f5-9581-d595b83b69f0%2F1sfpjds_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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