Question

Explain Williamson's synthesis.

Answer 1

Williamson Synthesis: Simple as well as mixed ethers can be prepared in the laboratory by Williamson Synthesis. In this method, alkyl halide is treated with sodium alkoxide or sodium phenoxide to give dialkyl ethers or alkyl aryl ethers.

\[\ce{\underset{(Alkyl halide)}{R - X} + \underset{(Sodium alkoide)}{Na - O - R}-> \underset{(Dialkyl ether)}{R - O - R} + \underset{(Sodium halide)}{Na - X}}\]

\[\ce{\underset{(Alkyl halide)}{R - X} + \underset{(Sodium phenoxide)}{Na - O - Ar}-> \underset{(Alkyl aryl ether)}{R - O - Ar} + Na - X}\]