Explain Williamson's reaction. Write the general equation.

Explanation

b) Williamson ether synthesis :
Alkyl halides on heating with sodium alkoxide ethers are obtained. In this method both symmetrical and unsymmetrical ether can be prepared.
General Reaction : `underset("Alkyl halide")(R-X)+underset("Sodium alkoxide")(R.-overset(-)Ounderset(-)O-Na)rarr underset("Ether")(R-overset(-)O-R.)+NaX`
Example : `underset("Chloroethane")(C_(2)H_(5)-Cl)+underset("Sodium ethoxide")(C_(2)H_(5)-O-Na)rarr underset("Ethoxyethane")(C_(2)H_(5)-O-C_(2)H_(6))+NaCl`