Question

Provide the reagents necessary to prepare the following compound using a Williamson ether synthesis.

A) NaOH, R-X
B) H2SO4, H2O
C) NaNH2, RX
D) KOH, R-X

Answer 1

The correct reagents necessary to prepare the compound using a Williamson ether synthesis are NaOH, R-X. In this synthesis, an alkyl halide is reacted with a strong base and an alkoxide ion to produce an ether compound.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a Williamson ether synthesis, an alkyl halide (R-X) is reacted with a strong base (such as NaOH or KOH) and an alkoxide ion to produce an ether compound.

The correct reagents necessary to prepare the compound using a Williamson ether synthesis are option A) NaOH, R-X.

For example, if the compound being synthesized is ethyl methyl ether (CH3-O-CH2CH3), the reaction would proceed as follows:

1. Add NaOH to a solvent, such as ethanol, to form a sodium alkoxide (in this case, CH3-O-Na+).
2. Add the alkyl halide (in this case, CH3Br) to the reaction mixture.
3. The sodium alkoxide will attack the carbon atom of the alkyl halide, displacing the halogen and forming the ether product (CH3-O-CH2CH3).