Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Question:

By a proper choice of reagents, both symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers can be prepared by Williamson synthesis which involves the reaction between an alkyl halide and an alkoxide ion. The reverse process involving the cleavage of ethers to give back the original alkyl halide and the alcohol can be carried out by heating the ether with HI at 373K.

Which of the following reagents when heated will give a good yield of ether? 

Options:

Isopropyl bromide and sodium isopropoxide 

Isopropyl bromide and sodium ethoxide 

Bromobenzene and sodium phenoxide 

Sodium tert-butoxide and ethyl bromide 

Correct Answer:

Sodium tert-butoxide and ethyl bromide 

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 4. Sodium tert-butoxide and ethyl bromide.

tert-Butyl ethyl ether can be prepared by the reaction of potassium tert-butoxide with ethyl bromide. The process is Williamson synthesis. This reaction follows SN2 mechanism.