(a) Explain the mechanism of acid catalysed dehydration of ethanol to
(b) Write general equation for preparation of ether by Williamsonsynthesis.
(c) Among alcohols and phenols which one is more acidic?

Explanation

(b)When alkyl halide reacts with sodium alkoxide ethers are obtained.
`R-ONa + R^(1) X to underset(ether)(R-O-R^(1) + NaX)`
`C_(2)H_(5)ONa + C_(2)H_(5)Br to C_(2)H_(5)OC_(2)H_(5) + NaBr`.
(c)Phenols are more acidic than alcohols. This is because the phenoxide ion formed from the ionisation of phenol is stabilised by resonance.