Show how you would use the Williamson ether synthesis to prepare the following ethers. You may use any alcohols or phenols as your organic starting materials.
(d) ethyl n-propyl ether (two ways)
(e) benzyl tert-butyl ether (benzyl = Ph–CH₂–)

What is the best way to prepare the following ethers using an alkyl halide and an alkoxide ion?

c.

d.

A chemist wanted to synthesize the anesthetic 2-ethoxy-2-methylpropane. He used ethoxide ion and 2-chloro-2-methylpropane for his synthesis and ended up with no ether. What was the product of his synthesis? What reagents should he have used?

Design a synthesis for each of the following, using an intramolecular reaction:

e.

The compound shown below has three different types of OH groups, all with different acidities. Show the structure produced after this compound is treated with different amounts of NaH followed by a methylating reagent. Add a brief explanation.

(a) 1 equivalent of NaH, followed by 1 equivalent of CH₃I and heat

(b) 2 equivalents of NaH, followed by 2 equivalents of CH₃I and heat

(c) 3 equivalents of NaH, followed by 3 equivalents of CH₃I and heat

Show how you would accomplish the following transformations. Some of these examples require more than one step.

(d) 5-chloropent-1-ene → 2-methyltetrahydrofuran 

Show how you would accomplish the following transformations. Some of these examples require more than one step.

(e) 2-chlorohexan-1-ol → 1,2-epoxyhexane

A student wanted to use the Williamson ether synthesis to make (R)-2-ethoxybutane. He remembered that the Williamson synthesis involves an S_N2 displacement, which takes place with inversion of configuration. He ordered a bottle of (S)-butan-2-ol for his chiral starting material. He also remembered that the S_N2 goes best on primary halides and tosylates, so he made ethyl tosylate and sodium (S)-but-2-oxide. After warming these reagents together, he obtained an excellent yield of 2-ethoxybutane.

a. What enantiomer of 2-ethoxybutane did he obtain? Explain how this enantiomer results from the S_N2 reaction of ethyl tosylate with sodium (S)-but-2-oxide.

b. What would have been the best synthesis of (R)-2-ethoxybutane?

c. How can this student convert the rest of his bottle of (S)-butan-2-ol to (R)-2-ethoxybutane?

The Williamson ether synthesis involves the displacement of an alkyl halide or tosylate by an alkoxide ion. Would the synthesis shown be possible by making a tosylate and displacing it? If so, show the sequence of reactions. If not, explain why not and show an alternative synthesis that would be more likely to work.