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  4. The reaction of sodium ethoxide with iodoethane to form diethyl ether is termed as

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Q. The reaction of sodium ethoxide with iodoethane to form diethyl ether is termed as

UPSEEUPSEE 2009

Solution:

When sodium ethoxide reacts with iodoethane, diethyl ether is obtained (Williamson's synthesis). The mechanism of this reaction is as follows

$C _{2} H _{5} ONa \rightleftharpoons C _{2} H _{5} O ^{-}+ Na ^{+}$

image

$\underset{\text{transition state}}{\left[ C _{2} H _{5}- \overset{\delta-}{O} - C _{2} H _{5}- I \right]}$

$\ce{->[{\text{Fast}}]} C_2 H_5OC_2H_5 + I^-$

Since, the reaction involves substitution of a group by a nucleophile, it is an example of nucleophilic substitution reaction.