Question

The reaction can be classified as:

• A. Alcohol formation reaction
• B. Dehydration reaction
• C. Williamson alcohol synthesis reaction
• D. Williamson ether synthesis reaction

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The given reaction is classified as the Williamson ether synthesis reaction. Let’s break down the steps and logic of this reaction:

1. Formation of Alkoxide Ion:
   • An alcohol reacts with sodium hydride (NaH). The NaH acts as a base, removing the hydrogen from the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the alcohol, forming an alkoxide ion (RO^-\text{Na}^+).
   • This process is necessary to make the alcohol a better nucleophile.
2. Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction:
   • The alkoxide ion, a strong nucleophile, attacks the electrophilic carbon of the methyl iodide (Me-I). This is a type of nucleophilic substitution reaction (S_N2 mechanism).
   • The iodide ion (I^-) is displaced as a leaving group.
3. Formation of Ether:
   • The final product is an ether, specifically a methyl ether, formed by the nucleophilic attack of the alkoxide ion on the alkyl halide.

Conclusion: This entire reaction sequence conforms to the Williamson ether synthesis. This method is classically used to synthesize ethers by reacting an alkoxide ion with a suitable alkyl halide.