Replacement of a hydrogen atom in a hydrocarbon by an alkoxy or carboxyl group yields a class of compounds known as ethers. Ethers are classified as symmetrical or unsymmetrical on the basis of groups attached to the oxygen atoms. Diethyl ether, a symmetrical ether, has been widely used as an inhalation anesthetic. Ethers can be prepared by acid catalyzed intermolecular dehydration of alcohols and Williamson's synthesis. Acid catalyzed dehydration of alcohols is not generally preferred as it gives a mixture of elimination and substitution products. In Williamson's synthesis, an alkyl halide is allowed to react with sodium alkoxide. Ethers containing substituted Alkyl groups may also be prepared by this method. The C-O bond in ether is weakly polar and is cleaved under drastic conditions with excess of hydrogen halides. In electrophilic substitution, the alkoxy group deactivates the aromatic ring and directs the incoming group to ortho and para positions.
To determine the type of ether anisole is, let's break down its structure and the classification of ethers based on the groups attached to the oxygen atom.
Understanding Anisole Structure
Anisole, also known as methyl phenyl ether, has the chemical structure $CH_3-O-C_6H_5$. This means it consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a methyl group (an alkyl group, $CH_3$) on one side and a phenyl group (an aryl group, $C_6H_5$) on the other side.
Ether Classifications Explained
Ethers are organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. The question highlights that ethers can be classified based on these attached groups:
- Dialkyl ether: Both groups attached to the oxygen are alkyl groups. For example, diethyl ether ($CH_3CH_2-O-CH_2CH_3$).
- Diaryl ether: Both groups attached to the oxygen are aryl groups. For example, diphenyl ether ($C_6H_5-O-C_6H_5$).
- Phenyl Alkyl ether (or Alkyl Aryl ether): One group attached to the oxygen is a phenyl (aryl) group, and the other is an alkyl group.
Identifying Anisole's Classification
Based on its structure, $CH_3-O-C_6H_5$:
- The group attached to oxygen on one side is a methyl group ($CH_3$), which is an alkyl group.
- The group attached to oxygen on the other side is a phenyl group ($C_6H_5$), which is an aryl group.
Therefore, anisole fits the definition of a Phenyl Alkyl ether, as it contains both a phenyl group and an alkyl group attached to the ether oxygen.
Conclusion on Anisole Type
Comparing anisole's structure ($CH_3-O-C_6H_5$) with the definitions:
- It is not a Dialkyl ether because it contains a phenyl group.
- It is not a Diaryl ether because it contains a methyl group.
- It perfectly matches the description of a Phenyl Alkyl ether.
Thus, anisole is classified as a Phenyl Alkyl ether.
Important Questions from Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers
Among the following statements, choose the correct statements.
A. Boiling point of alcohols increases with increase in the number of carbon atoms.
B. In alcohols, boiling points increases with increase of branching in carbon chain.
C. Boiling points of alcohols are lesser in comparison to haloalkanes of comparable molecular mass.
D. Boiling points of alcohols are higher in comparison to hydrocarbons of comparable molecular mass.
E. The high boiling points of alcohols are mainly due to the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following compounds is most acidic in character?
Isomer of diethyl ether is
What is aspirin?
The reactivity of primary, secondary and tertiary hydrogen for bromination is ____________.
