Williamson’s Ether Synthesis | Organic Chemistry |

Alcohol in reaction with active metal sodium gives sodium alkoxide. sodium alkoxide on reaction with an alkyl halide gives ether. It is known as Williamson’s ether synthesis helps to synthesize aliphatic, aromatic, symmetrical, unsymmetrical ethers.

ROH + Na         =                    RONa + ½ H2

RONa + R – X      =                R – O – R + NaX

RONa + R’ – X        =                 R – O – R’ + Nax

CH3CH2OH + Na       =                   CH3CH2ONa + ½ H2

CH3CH2ONa + CH3 – Br      =                  CH3CH2 – O – CH3   + NaBr