To synthesize methyl tert-butyl ether via the Williamson synthesis, sodium tert-butoxide must react with methyl bromide. Because the reaction follows a concerted bimolecular nucleophilic substitution

Question

To synthesize methyl tert-butyl ether via the Williamson synthesis, sodium tert-butoxide must react with methyl bromide. Because the reaction follows a concerted bimolecular nucleophilic substitution pathway, what is the exact kinetic molecularity of the rate-determining step?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 2. The Williamson ether synthesis strictly follows an mechanism (Substitution Nucleophilic Bimolecular). In an reaction, the rate-determining step involves the simultaneous collision and reaction of two species (the nucleophilic alkoxide and the electrophilic alkyl halide), making the molecularity exactly 2.

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