It is impossible to synthesize diphenyl ether () using the Williamson ether synthesis. Which stateme — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
It is impossible to synthesize diphenyl ether ($C_6H_5-O-C_6H_5$) using the Williamson ether synthesis. Which statement correctly explains this limitation?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
The Williamson synthesis requires the nucleophile to displace a halogen. Aryl halides are highly resistant to standard nucleophilic substitution ($S_NAr$) because resonance gives the $C-X$ bond partial double bond character, preventing the $S_N2$ attack.
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