The reaction of sodium ethoxide with ethyl iodide to form diethyl ether is termed

Options

A. electrophilic substitution
B. nucleophilic substitution
C. electrophilic addition
D. radical substitution

Explanation

To determine the type of reaction that occurs when sodium ethoxide reacts with ethyl iodide to form diethyl ether, we can break down the process step-by-step:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- Sodium ethoxide (C2H5O^-Na^+) and ethyl iodide (C2H5I) are the reactants.
- Sodium ethoxide acts as a nucleophile due to the presence of the negatively charged oxygen atom.

2. **Understand the Nature of Ethyl Iodide**:
- Ethyl iodide (C2H5I) contains a carbon atom bonded to iodine, which is a good leaving group. The iodine atom is more electronegative than carbon, creating a partial positive charge on the carbon, making it an electrophile.

3. **Nucleophilic Attack**:
- The negatively charged oxygen in sodium ethoxide (C2H5O^-) attacks the electrophilic carbon in ethyl iodide (C2H5I). This is a classic example of a nucleophilic attack.

4. **Formation of Diethyl Ether**:
- During the nucleophilic attack, the bond between the carbon and iodine breaks, leading to the formation of diethyl ether (C2H5OC2H5) and the release of iodide ion (I^-).

5. **Identify the Reaction Type**:
- The process involves the substitution of the iodine atom by the ethoxide ion. Since a nucleophile (sodium ethoxide) replaces a leaving group (iodine), this reaction is classified as a nucleophilic substitution reaction.

### Final Answer:
The reaction of sodium ethoxide with ethyl iodide to form diethyl ether is termed a **nucleophilic substitution reaction**.

---