Question

Which of the following on heating gives an ether as major product?
P : C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH\(_2\)Br + CH\(_3\)ONa
Q : C\(_6\)H\(_5\)ONa + CH\(_3\)Br
R : (CH\(_3\))\(_3\)C–Cl + CH\(_3\)ONa
S : C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH = CHCl + CH\(_3\)ONa

• A. P : C₆H₆CH2Br+CH₃ONa
• B. Q : C₆H₅ONa+CH₃Br
• C. R : (CH₃)₃C-CI+CH₃ONa
• D. S : C₆H₅CH=CHCI+CH₃ONa

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Let's evaluate each reaction to see if it results in the formation of an ether:

1. For P: C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH\(_2\)Br + CH\(_3\)ONa:
- This is a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The CH\(_3\)O\(^-\) (methoxide ion) attacks the electrophilic carbon attached to the bromine (C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH\(_2\)Br), resulting in the formation of an ether (C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH\(_2\)OCH\(_3\)). - Therefore, this reaction gives an ether as the major product.

2. For Q: C\(_6\)H\(_5\)ONa + CH\(_3\)Br:
- This is also a nucleophilic substitution. The phenoxide ion (C\(_6\)H\(_5\)O\(^-\)) attacks the methyl group (CH\(_3\)) attached to bromine, forming phenyl methyl ether (C\(_6\)H\(_5\)OCH\(_3\)). - Therefore, this reaction also gives an ether as the major product.

3. For R: (CH\(_3\))\(_3\)C–Cl + CH\(_3\)ONa:
- In this case, the methoxide ion (CH\(_3\)O\(^-\)) attacks the tertiary carbon of the alkyl chloride (C\(_3\)Cl). However, because this is a tertiary carbocation intermediate, the reaction is more likely to result in a rearrangement or a different product rather than an ether. - Therefore, this reaction does not give an ether as the major product.

4. For S: C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH = CHCl + CH\(_3\)ONa:
- The CH\(_3\)O\(^-\) will attack the vinyl chloride (C\(_6\)H\(_5\)CH = CHCl), but this is not likely to form an ether under normal conditions due to the nature of the vinyl group.
Therefore, this reaction does not give an ether as the major product. Thus, the reactions P and Q both lead to the formation of an ether as the major product.

So, the correct answer is (A): Both P and Q.