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The Williamson ether synthesis involves:
AReaction of an alcohol with concentrated H₂SO₄
BReaction of an alkene with water
CReaction of an alcohol with another alcohol over Al₂O₃
DReaction of an alkyl halide with a sodium alkoxide (Na+OR⁻) — SN2 mechanism; best with primary alkyl halide + bulky alkoxide
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Reaction of an alkyl halide with a sodium alkoxide (Na+OR⁻) — SN2 mechanism; best with primary alkyl halide + bulky alkoxide
**Williamson synthesis**: R-X + R'O⁻Na⁺ → R-O-R' + NaX (SN2). Best when **R-X is primary** (3° alkyl halides give E2 elimination → alkene; not ether). For unsymmetric ethers, use the bulky alkoxide with the less hindered alkyl halide. E.g., **PhO⁻Na⁺ + CH₃I → PhOCH₃** (anisole).
Related questions
Hydroboration-oxidation of propene CH$_3$-CH=CH$_2$ on the lab gives:The Williamson ether synthesis works best with:Heating ethanol with concentrated $H_2SO_4$ at $170^\circ$C on the lab burner gives:Phenol is more acidic than ethanol because:Phenol gives the iodoform test (yellow precipitate) when treated with I₂/NaOH:The dehydration of ethanol with concentrated H₂SO₄ at 443 K gives:Phenol reacts with **NaOH** but ethanol does NOT (with dilute aqueous NaOH). This is becauLower alcohols (methanol, ethanol) are completely miscible with water because: