Write a suitable reaction for the preparation of tert-butyl ethyl ether, specifying the names of reagents used. justify your answer in both cases.

Question

The following is not an appropriate reaction for the preparation of tert-butyl ethyl ether.

C₂H₅ONa + (CH₃)₃C-CI→(CH₃)C-OC₂H₅

Write a suitable reaction for the preparation of tert-butyl ethyl ether, specifying the names of reagents used. justify your answer in both cases.

Answer 1

To prepare t-Butyl ethyl ether, the alkyl halide should be 1°  i.e., chloroethane and the nucleophile should be sodium t-butoxide because the 3° nucleophile is able to attack 1° alkyl halide.