Ether Formation and Acidic Dehydration Quiz

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Why is bimolecular dehydration not suitable for the preparation of ethyl methyl ether?

Ethyl methyl ether follows an SN1 pathway during formation.

Ethyl methyl ether requires a primary alkyl group only.

Ethyl methyl ether requires an alkyl group that is unhindered. (correct)

Ethyl methyl ether prefers a high-temperature reaction environment.

In the Williamson synthesis, what type of reaction takes place?

Nucleophilic bimolecular substitution (SN2) (correct)

Acid-base reaction

Oxidation-reduction reaction

Nucleophilic unimolecular substitution (SN1)

Why is the dehydration of secondary and tertiary alcohols unsuccessful in giving ethers?

SN2 pathway is preferred over SN1 in these alcohols.

The alkenes formed are more stable than the ethers.

Elimination competes over substitution in these cases. (correct)

Secondary and tertiary alcohols do not react with alkoxides.

Which type of alcohol is suitable for acidic dehydration to form ethers?

Primary alcohols Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the alkyl group in the preparation of ethers is hindered?

Alkene formation is favored over ether formation. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the bimolecular dehydration method suitable only for primary alkyl groups?

Secondary and tertiary alkyl groups favor elimination reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the reaction of an ether with concentrated HI?

Protonation of the ether molecule Signup and view all the answers

In the cleavage of mixed ethers with two different alkyl groups, which alkyl group forms the alkyl iodide in a reaction involving primary or secondary alkyl groups?

Lower alkyl group Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is followed when one of the alkyl groups in a reaction involving ethers is a tertiary group?

SN1 mechanism Signup and view all the answers

What type of nucleophilic substitution mechanism occurs when iodide attacks the oxonium ion formed in the reaction of ether with concentrated HI?

SN2 mechanism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using concentrated HI or HBr in the cleavage of ethers?

To provide a strong acidic medium Signup and view all the answers

In the reaction involving anisole, what is the product formed after reacting with HI followed by an SN2 mechanism?

(CH3)3C-I Signup and view all the answers

What is the major product formed when CH3ONa reacts with (CH3)3C–Br?

2-methylpropene Signup and view all the answers

Why do better results in the SN2 reaction occur when a primary alkyl halide is used?

Primary alkyl halides favor substitution over elimination Signup and view all the answers

Why does an alkene form as the only reaction product when a tertiary alkyl halide is used?

Alkoxides are strong bases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not an appropriate reaction for the preparation of t-butyl ethyl ether?

Direct combination of t-butanol and ethanol Signup and view all the answers

Why do ethers have a net dipole moment?

Polar C-O bonds in ethers Signup and view all the answers

In the preparation of ethers, why do alkoxides react with alkyl halides to form elimination products?