Write the reactions of Williamson synthesis of 2-ethoxy-3-methyl pentane starting from ethanol and 3-methyl pentane-2-ol.
During Williamson synthesis of ethers, an alkyl halide reacts with an alkoxide(ion with –ve charge on the oxygen of alcohol and + ve charge on alkali metal like Na) ion. it is an SN2 reaction. In the reaction, alkyl halides should be least hindered. Hence, an alkyl halide is obtained from ethanol and alkoxide ion from 3-methylpentan-2-ol. The reactions are shown below:
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