Phenols are converted to ethers in Williamson synthesis by utilizing phenol as the phenoxide moiety. This involves the reaction of phenol with alkyl halides, allowing for the formation of ethers through the substitution reaction.
How are phenols converted to ethers using Williamson synthesis, and what role does phenol play in the reaction?
Share
Phenols can be converted to ethers using Williamson synthesis by first converting the phenol to its sodium or potassium salt. The phenol reacts with a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, to form the corresponding phenoxide ion:
Ph-OH + NaOH → Ph-O⁻ + Na⁺ + H₂O
This phenoxide ion then undergoes nucleophilic substitution with an alkyl halide in the presence of a suitable solvent, leading to the formation of the desired ether:
Ph-O⁻ + R’-X → Ph-O-R’ + X⁻
Phenol acts as both the reactant and the base source in this reaction.