Alexander Williamson on Ether Synthesis
Me: Alexander Williamson, how are you?
AW: I am fine, thank you for asking. I understand you are talking about ethers in your class. In 1850 I explained the difference between alcohols and ethers. I did this by showing people how to make ethers from alkoxides, which are deprotonated alcohols, by reacting them with primary haloalkanes. Later you will call this an SN2 reaction, and you will understand that the haloalkane has to be primary to avoid an E2 reaction. Of course, I did not know anything about what you call SN2 or E2 reactions, hey it was 1850, I just figured out how to make ethers. Even though you probably think this is just another SN2 reaction between a nucleophile and an electrophile, the synthesis of ethers from alkoxides and primary haloalkanes is called the Williamson ether synthesis, named after me, Alexander Williamson. Remember, it only works if you can find a way to use a primary haloalkane with an alkoxide. Peace out from here.
