Octet

Octet / Reactions

Williamson Ether Synthesis

Williamson Ether Synthesis (Substitution.) Converts C[O-] to COC using R-X (alkyl halide), alkoxide.

Substitution

Reaction details

Name

Williamson Ether Synthesis

Type

Substitution

Starting Material

C[O-]

Product

COC

Reagents

  • R-X (alkyl halide)

  • alkoxide

Mechanism
  1. Smiles

    C[O-]

    Description

    Methoxide anion (from NaH + MeOH)

  2. Smiles

    CI

    Description

    Methyl iodide (1° halide works best)

  3. Smiles

    COC

    Description

    Dimethyl ether via SN2

Tips

  1. Best method for making ethers

  2. Use 1° or methyl halides (SN2 mechanism)

  3. Bulky alkoxide + 3° halide → elimination instead!

  4. Unsymmetrical ethers: put smaller group on halide

Related Reactions

  • sn2-bromide-hydroxide

This is one row of the Reaction roadmap sheet - print all 83 reactions on one page.

Reactions

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Source collection

SN2 with Hydroxide

SN2 with Hydroxide (SN2 Substitution.) Converts CCBr to CCO using NaOH, KOH. Conditions: Polar aprotic solvent in DMSO, DMF, or acetone. Stereochemistry: Inversion of configuration (Walden inversion).

Substitution

SN2 with Cyanide

SN2 with Cyanide (SN2 Substitution.) Converts CCI to CC#N using NaCN, KCN. Conditions: Polar aprotic solvent in DMSO or DMF. Stereochemistry: Inversion of configuration.

Substitution

SN1 Solvolysis

SN1 Solvolysis (SN1 Substitution.) Converts CC(C)(C)Br to CC(C)(C)O using H₂O. Conditions: Polar protic solvent, heat in Water or aqueous ethanol. Stereochemistry: Loss of stereocontrol (planar carbocation attacked from either face → racemization if chiral ce...

Substitution

SN2 with Tosylate Leaving Group

SN2 with Tosylate Leaving Group (SN2 Substitution.) Converts CCOS(=O)(=O)c1ccc(C)cc1 to CCN=[N+]=[N-] using NaN₃. Conditions: Polar aprotic solvent.

Substitution

SN2 with Azide

SN2 with Azide (SN2 Substitution.) Converts CCBr to CCN=[N+]=[N-] using NaN₃. Conditions: Polar aprotic solvent.

Substitution

E2 Elimination

E2 Elimination (E2 Elimination.) Converts CC(Br)CC to CC=CC using KOtBu, NaOEt, NaOH (conc.). Conditions: Strong base, heat in t-BuOH or EtOH. Stereochemistry: Anti-periplanar geometry required. E/Z depends on which H is removed..

Elimination

Study guides

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