Question

Alkyl halides form ethers by reacting with which of the following?

(A) Dry Ag₂O

(B) Moist Ag₂O

(C) Dry ZnO

(D) Moist ZnO

Answer 1

(A) Dry Ag₂O

Symmetrical ethers can be prepared by heating alkyl halides with dry silver oxide.

\(2Rx + \underset {(Dry)}{Ag_2O} \xrightarrow {Heat} R -O-R + e\,Ag\,x\)

e.g. \(2C_2H_5 I + \underset {(Dry)}{Ag_2O} \xrightarrow {Heat} C_2 H_5 OC_2 H_5 + 2 \,Ag I\)