Question

Complete the following:
(CH3)3C - O - CH3 + HI →

Hint:

Ethers undergo cleavage in the presence of strong acids like HI, breaking the C-O bond to form alcohols and alkyl iodides.

Answer 1

The reaction between tert-butyl methyl ether and HI leads to the cleavage of the ether bond, resulting in the formation of tert-butyl alcohol and methyl iodide:
\[ (\text{CH}_3)_3\text{C} - \text{O} - \text{CH}_3 + \text{HI} \rightarrow (\text{CH}_3)_3\text{COH} + \text{CH}_3\text{I} \] The ether bond is broken by the nucleophilic attack of the iodide ion, producing the corresponding alcohol and alkyl iodide.