When the compound sodium ethoxide reacts with chloroethane, it gives the compound C4H10O . What reaction is this ? a) Wurtz's reaction b) Williamson's synthesis c) Rosenmund's reduction d) Dehydrohalogenation reaction

The reaction between sodium ethoxide ( NaOC2H5 ) and chloroethane ( C2H5Cl ) produces C4H10O , which is diethyl ether ( C2H5OC2H5 ) . This is a classic example of Williamson’s synthesis , an etherification reaction where an alkoxide ion ( OC2H5^ ) acts as a nucleophile and displaces the chloride ion ( Cl^ ) from chloroethane, forming an ether. The reaction proceeds via an S N2 mechanism, typical of Williamson’s synthesis when a primary alkyl halide is used. The other options are incorrect: Wurtz’s reaction couples alkyl halides with sodium to form alkanes. Rosenmund’s reduction reduces acid chlorides to aldehydes using Pd/BaSO₄. Dehydrohalogenation eliminates HX to form alkenes, not ethers.

When the compound sodium ethoxide reacts with chloroethane, it gives the compound C4H10O… – Chemistry NEB 2081 (MCQs) Solution

The reaction between sodium ethoxide ( $NaOC X_{2} H X_{5}$ ) and chloroethane ( $C X_{2} H X_{5} Cl$ ) produces $C X_{4} H X_{10} O$ , which is diethyl ether ( $C X_{2} H X_{5} OC X_{2} H X_{5}$ ). This is a classic example of Williamson’s synthesis, an etherification reaction where an alkoxide ion ( $OC X_{2} H X_{5} X^{-}$ ) acts as a nucleophile and displaces the chloride ion ( $Cl X^{-}$ ) from chloroethane, forming an ether.

Diethyl etherDiethyl etherChloroethaneChloroethane

Structures: Diethyl ether, Chloroethane

The reaction proceeds via an $S X_{N} 2$ mechanism, typical of Williamson’s synthesis when a primary alkyl halide is used. The other options are incorrect:

Wurtz’s reaction couples alkyl halides with sodium to form alkanes.
Rosenmund’s reduction reduces acid chlorides to aldehydes using Pd/BaSO₄.
Dehydrohalogenation eliminates HX to form alkenes, not ethers.

C₂H₅Cl+NaOC₂H₅HeatC₂H₅OC₂H₅+NaCl

Williamson’s synthesis of diethyl ether (SN2 mechanism with primary alkyl halide)

When the compound sodium ethoxide reacts with chloroethane, it gives the compound C4H10O . What reaction is this ? a) Wurtz's reaction b) Williamson's synthesis c) Rosenmund's reduction d)…

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