Question

Ethyl chloride is converted into diethyl ether by

• A. Perkins reaction
• B. Wurtz-Fittig reaction
• C. Wurtz reaction
• D. Williamsons synthesis

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Williamson's synthesis This reaction is used to prepare both symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers by treating alkyl halide with sodium alkoxide or sodium phenoxide.
$\underset{\text{ethyl chloride}}{C_2{H}_{5}Cl}+\underset{\text{sodium ethoxide}}{C_2{H}_{5}ONa}\to \underset{\text{diethyl ether}}{C_2{H}_{5}O{C}_2{H}_5}+NaCl$
Perkins reaction Benzaldehyde on heating with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate and the hydrolysis of product obtained gives $\alpha ,\beta$ unsaturated acid, cinnamic acid.

Wurtz reaction Alkyl halide react with sodium in the presence of dry ether to form alkanes.
$C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}Cl+2Na+ClC{H}_{2}C{H}_3$
$\stackrel{\text{Dry ether}}{\to }\underset{\text{butane}}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_2\cdot C{H}_{2}C{H}_3}+2NaCl$
Wurtz-Fittig reaction Haloalkanes react with haloarenes in the presence of sodium and anhydrous ether to form alkyl benzene.