Question

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

(a) What would be the major product of this reaction?

(b) Write a suitable reaction for the preparation of f-butyl ethyl ether?

Answer 1

Since the alkyl halide is 3°, (f-butyl chloride) and C₂H₅ONa is strong base, therefore, elimination occurs to form 2-methylprop-l-ene.

To prepare 1-butyl ethyl ether, the alkyl halide should be 1°, i.e., chloroethane and the nucleophile should be sodium f-butoxide.