How to Prepare Ethyl Hexyl Ether Using Williamson Ether Synthesis
Overview of Williamson Ether Synthesis
Williamson ether synthesis is a common method in organic chemistry for preparing ethers. In this reaction, an alkoxide ion acts as a nucleophile and substitutes a halide on an alkyl halide to form an ether.
Synthesis of Ethyl Hexyl Ether
To prepare ethyl hexyl ether, we first need to generate the ethoxide ion. This can be achieved by reacting ethanol with a strong base like sodium hydride:
CH3CH2OH + NaH → CH3CH2O- Na+ + H2
Next, the ethoxide ion obtained will participate in the Williamson ether synthesis by reacting with n-hexyl bromide:
CH3CH2O- Na+ + Br(CH2)5CH3 → CH3CH2O(CH2)5CH3 + NaBr
This reaction will result in the formation of ethyl hexyl ether. The Williamson ether synthesis allows for the formation of ethers by the substitution of alkyl halides with alkoxides in the presence of a strong base.