The starting compound would look like a 5-iodo-pent-1-ene, where the iodine is on the first carbon, and the double bond is at the opposite end of the chain
What is the cyclic ether?
The cyclic ether is a tetrahydrofuran with a pendant vinyl group. To synthesize this cyclic ether using sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a Williamson ether synthesis approach would be suitable. This method typically involves an alkoxide ion reacting with a primary alkyl halide to form an ether.
Given the structure and the hint to use an iodide as the leaving group, the most appropriate starting material would be a diol (a molecule with two hydroxyl groups) where one hydroxyl group is positioned for intramolecular reaction to form the ether ring, and the other is available for substitution with an iodide leaving group.
Upon reaction with NaOH, the iodide would leave, and the alkoxide would form the ether ring, resulting in the desired cyclic ether.
Complete:
determine the most appropriate starting material to synthesize the following cyclic ether. (should you require one, use an iodide as the leaving group.)