we know that ethers, such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, are quite resistant to the action of dilute acids and require hot concentrated HI or HBr for cleavage. However, acetals in which two ether groups are linked to the same carbon undergo hydrolysis readily, even in dilute aqueous acid. How do you account for this marked difference in chemical reactivity toward dilute aqueous acid between ethers and acetals?
Reactions of Ethers
Ethers (R-O-R’) are compounds formed by replacing hydrogen atoms of an alcohol (R-OH compound) or a phenol (C6H5OH) by an aryl/ acyl group (functional group after removing single hydrogen from an aromatic ring). In this section, reaction, preparation and behavior of ethers are discussed in the context of organic chemistry.
Epoxides
Epoxides are a special class of cyclic ethers which are an important functional group in organic chemistry and generate reactive centers due to their unusual high reactivity. Due to their high reactivity, epoxides are considered to be toxic and mutagenic.
Williamson Ether Synthesis
An organic reaction in which an organohalide and a deprotonated alcohol forms ether is known as Williamson ether synthesis. Alexander Williamson developed the Williamson ether synthesis in 1850. The formation of ether in this synthesis is an SN2 reaction.
we know that ethers, such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, are quite resistant to the action of dilute acids and require hot concentrated HI or HBr for cleavage.
However, acetals in which two ether groups are linked to the same carbon undergo hydrolysis readily, even in dilute aqueous acid. How do you account for this marked
difference in chemical reactivity toward dilute aqueous acid between ethers and acetals?
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