When an alkyl halide is allowed to react with a sodium alkoxide the product most likely is

Options

A. An aldehyde
B. A ketone
C. An ether
D. A carboxylic acid

Explanation

To solve the question of what product is formed when an alkyl halide reacts with a sodium alkoxide, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants in this reaction are:
- Alkyl halide (R-X), where R is an alkyl group and X is a halogen (like Cl, Br, or I).
- Sodium alkoxide (R'-O^-Na^+), where R' is another alkyl group.

### Step 2: Understand the Reaction Mechanism
When an alkyl halide reacts with a sodium alkoxide, the alkoxide ion (R'-O^-) acts as a nucleophile. It attacks the carbon atom bonded to the halogen in the alkyl halide (R-X).

### Step 3: Nucleophilic Substitution
The nucleophilic attack results in the displacement of the halogen atom (X) from the alkyl halide. This process is a type of nucleophilic substitution reaction.

### Step 4: Formation of Ether
As a result of the nucleophilic attack, an ether is formed. Specifically, the product of this reaction is a dialkyl ether, which can be represented as R-R'-O-R', where both R and R' are alkyl groups.

### Step 5: Name the Reaction
This reaction is known as Williamson ether synthesis, which is a well-known method for synthesizing ethers.

### Conclusion
Thus, when an alkyl halide reacts with a sodium alkoxide, the product most likely formed is a dialkyl ether.

### Final Answer
The product most likely formed is a dialkyl ether.

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