Williamson synthesis of ethersईथरों का विलियमसन संश्लेषणWilliamson synthesis of ethers

Class 12 Chemistry · Chapter 7 · interactive diagram

Parts and what they mean

• General reaction: R–X + R′O⁻Na⁺ → R–O–R′ + NaX (सामान्य अभिक्रिया: R–X + R′O⁻Na⁺ → R–O–R′ + NaX) — Important for both symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers (A.W. Williamson).
• Sodium tert-butoxide (nucleophile) (सोडियम टर्ट-ब्यूटॉक्साइड (नाभिकस्नेही)) — The bulky group may be on the alkoxide — it is the halide that must be primary.
• Bromomethane (primary, unhindered carbon) (ब्रोमोमेथेन (प्राथमिक, अबाधित कार्बन)) — Backside attack is easy here.
• SN2 curved arrows (SN2 वक्र तीर) — O⁻ lone pair → carbon; C–Br bond pair → Br (leaves as Br⁻).
• Product: 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane (tert-butyl methyl ether) (उत्पाद: 2-मेथॉक्सी-2-मेथिलप्रोपेन (टर्ट-ब्यूटिल मेथिल ईथर)) — Good yield because CH₃Br is primary.
• Tertiary halide gives only the alkene (तृतीयक हैलाइड से केवल ऐल्कीन) — Alkoxide pulls off H⁺ instead of substituting: 2-methylpropene is formed exclusively (NCERT Example 7.6).
• Aryl alkyl ethers from phenols (फ़ीनॉलों से ऐरिल ऐल्किल ईथर) — Phenol → phenoxide (NaOH) → alkyl halide gives e.g. anisole (R = CH₃).

Original diagram drawn by Simple Learning Hub, based on the NCERT textbook. Report a mistake