Question

Which of the following reactants will give 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane in high yield? Mark all that apply.

a) O_2-methyl-1-butene and methanol with acid
b) Ethylene and 2-methyl-2-butanol in acid
c) O_2-bromo-2-methylbutane and sodium methoxide
d) O_2-methyl-2-butoxide and methyl iodide

Answer 1

Options a) O2-methyl-1-butene and methanol with acid, and b) Ethylene and 2-methyl-2-butanol in acid will give 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane in high yield.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to obtain 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane in high yield, the reactants that would be suitable are a) O2-methyl-1-butene and methanol with acid, and b) Ethylene and 2-methyl-2-butanol in acid.

In option a, O2-methyl-1-butene can react with methanol and acid to form 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane through an acid-catalyzed reaction. The acid protonates the double bond in O2-methyl-1-butene, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by methanol. The resulting carbocation then reacts with methanol to form the desired product.

In option b, ethylene can undergo an acid-catalyzed addition reaction with 2-methyl-2-butanol to form 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane. The acid protonates the pi bond in ethylene, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the alcohol group in 2-methyl-2-butanol. The resulting carbocation then reacts with the alcohol group to form the desired product.