Chapter 6, Problem 38P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The most effective combination of alkyl bromide and potassium alkoxide in the syntheses of the given ethers using retrosynthetic notation is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Ethers are prepared by the reaction of a suitable alkyl halide and alkoxide ion.

Primary alkyl halides are less crowded at the site of substitution than secondary and tertiary alkyl halides and thus react faster in substitution by ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ mechanism.

The alkoxide ion acts a nucleophile and reacts with the primary alkyl halide to produce the corresponding ether.