Question

How will you convert bromoethane to ethoxyethane?

Answer 1

To convert bromoethane to ethoxyethane, you can use the Williamson ether synthesis by reacting bromoethane with sodium ethoxide (NaOCH₂CH₃). This reaction involves the ethoxide anion from sodium ethoxide acting as a nucleophile, attacking the carbon atom attached to the bromine in bromoethane and displacing the bromide ion, forming ethoxyethane (also known as diethyl ether) and sodium bromide.

\[\ce{\underset{Bromoethane}{C2H5Br} + \underset{Sodium ethoxide}{NaOC2H5} -> \underset{Ethoxyethane}{C2H5OC2H5} + NaBr}\]