Ethers synthesis from halides

Oxetanes are commonly obtained by intramolecular ether synthesis from a suitably functionalized alcohol. Leaving groups employed include halides, tosylates, and others. The base can range from an alkoxide to a non-nucleophilic amine. 

Oxetanes are commonly obtained by intramolecular ether synthesis from a suitably functionalized alcohol. Leaving groups employed include halides, tosylates, and others. The base can range from an alkoxide to a non-nucleophilic amine . The classical, straightforward approach to 2-oxetanones (-lactones) is by the lacto-nization of the salts of -halocarboxylic acids and similar precursors . Thietanes and -thio-lactones are obtained analogously . 

Both reactants m the Williamson ether synthesis usually originate m alcohol pre cursors Sodium and potassium alkoxides are prepared by reaction of an alcohol with the appropriate metal and alkyl halides are most commonly made from alcohols by reaction with a hydrogen halide (Section 4 7) thionyl chloride (Section 4 13) or phosphorus tri bromide (Section 4 13) Alternatively alkyl p toluenesulfonates may be used m place of alkyl halides alkyl p toluenesulfonates are also prepared from alcohols as their imme diate precursors (Section 8 14)... 

Next in what amounts to an intramolecular Williamson ether synthesis the alkoxide oxygen attacks the carbon that bears the halide leaving group giving an epoxide As m other nucleophilic substitutions the nucleophile approaches carbon from the side oppo site the bond to the leaving group... 

Base promoted cyclization of vicinal halohydrms (Section 16 10) This reaction is an intramolecu lar version of the Williamson ether synthesis The alcohol function of a vicinal halohydrin is con verted to its conjugate base which then displa ces halide from the adjacent carbon to give an epoxide... 

WILLIAMSON Ether synthesis Synthesis of ethers from alcoholates with alkyl halides... 

Two approaches for the synthesis of allyl(alkyl)- and allyl(aryl)tin halides are thermolysis of halo(alkyl)tin ethers derived from tertiary homoallylic alcohols, and transmetalation of other allylstannanes. For example, dibutyl(-2-propenyl)tin chloride has been prepared by healing dibutyl(di-2-propenyl)stannane with dibutyltin dichloride42, and by thermolysis of mixtures of 2,3-dimethyl-5-hexen-3-ol or 2-methyl-4-penten-2-ol and tetrabutyl-l,3-dichlorodistannox-ane39. Alternatively dibutyltin dichloride and (dibutyl)(dimethoxy)tin were mixed to provide (dibutyl)(methoxy)tin chloride which was heated with 2,2,3-trimethyl-5-hexen-3-ol40. 

Ethers are prepared from alkyl halides by the treatment of metal alkoxide. This is known as Williamson ether synthesis (see Sections 4.3.6 and 5.5.2). Williamson ether synthesis is an important laboratory method for the preparation of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers. Symmetrical ethers are prepared by dehydration of two molecules of primary alcohols and H2SO4 (see Sections 4.3.7 and 5.5.3). Ethers are also obtained from alkenes either by acid-catalysed addition of alcohols or alkoxymercuration-reduction (see Section 5.3.1). 

Formation of a symmetrical sulphide (a) (e.g. dipropyl sulphide, Expt 5.204), is conveniently effected by boiling an alkyl halide (the source of carbocations) with sodium sulphide in ethanolic solution. Mixed sulphides (b) are prepared by alkylation of a thiolate salt (a mercaptide) with an alkyl halide (cf. Williamson s ether synthesis, Section 5.6.2, p. 583). In the case of an alkyl aryl sulphide (R-S Ar) where the aromatic ring contains activating nitro groups (see Section 6.5.3, p. 900), the aryl halide is used with the alkyl thiolate salt. The alternative alkylation of a substituted thiophenol is described in Section 8.3.4, p. 1160. The former procedure is illustrated by the preparation of isobutyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl sulphide (Expt 5.205) from l-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 2-methylpropane-1-thiol. 

Both alkyl groups in benzyl ethyl ether are primary, thus either may come from the alkyl halide in a Williamson ether synthesis. The two routes to benzyl ethyl ether are... 

Diethyl ether is prepared commercially by intermolecular dehydration of ethanol with sulfuric acid. The Williamson ether synthesis, another route to ethers, involves preparation of an alkoxide from an alcohol and a reactive metal, followed by an SN2 displacement between the alkoxide and an alkyl halide. 

In a similar manner, Grignard reagents react with cyclic a,/3-dihalo ethers derived from 3,4-dihydro-l,2-pyran and tetrahydrofuran to form the corresponding 2-alkyl-3-halo derivatives. Thus, addition of 2,3 dibromotetrahydropyran to methylmagnesium halide at 0° followed by hydrolysis gives a 65% yield of 2-methyl-3-bromotetrahydropyran. These materials are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of olefinic alcohols (cf. method 99). 

The Williamson reaction, discovered in 1850, is still the best general method for the preparation of unsymmetrical or symmetrical ethers.The reaction can also be carried out with aromatic R, although C-alkylation is sometimes a side reaction (see p. 515). The normal method involves treatment of the halide with alkoxide or aroxide ion prepared from an alcohol or phenol, although methylation using dimethyl carbonate has been reported. It is also possible to mix the halide and alcohol or phenol directly with CS2CO3 in acetonitrile, or with solid KOH in Me2SO. The reaction can also be carried out in a dry medium,on zeolite-or neat or in solvents using microwave irradiation. Williamson ether synthesis in ionic liquids has also been reported. The reaction is not successful for tertiary R (because of elimination), and low yields are often obtained with secondary R. Mono-ethers can be formed from diols and alkyl halides. Many other... 

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