Question

Basic conditions led to alkoxides from the alcohols.

Short answer

Question: Describe the process of forming alkoxides from alcohols using a strong base. Include the mechanism of the reaction and the role of the reactants. Answer: The formation of alkoxides from alcohols involves the reaction between an alcohol (R-OH) and a strong base (e.g., sodium hydride, NaH). The mechanism includes deprotonation of the alcohol by the strong base, where the negatively charged hydride ion (H^-) attacks the hydrogen atom in the alcohol's hydroxyl group (-OH). This leads to the formation of molecular hydrogen (H_2) and a negatively charged alkoxide ion (R-O^−). The alkoxide ion then associates with the counterion of the strong base (e.g., Na^+), forming the alkoxide salt (NaO-R). The overall reaction equation is: R-OH + NaH -> NaO-R + H_2

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the reactants

In this reaction, we have two reactants: an alcohol (R-OH) and a strong base (for example, sodium hydride, NaH). The alcohol has a hydroxyl group (-OH), and the strong base will have a negatively charged hydride ion (H^-).

Understanding the mechanism of the reaction

The mechanism of the reaction involves the deprotonation of the alcohol by the strong base. The negatively charged hydride ion (H^-) from the strong base will attack the hydrogen atom connected to the oxygen in the hydroxyl group of the alcohol. This results in the formation of a new bond between the hydrogen atom and the hydride ion, creating molecular hydrogen (H_2). Meanwhile, the O-H bond in the alcohol breaks, and the electron pair is left on the oxygen atom, resulting in a negatively charged alkoxide ion (R-O^−).

Formation of the alkoxide

After the reaction, the negatively charged alkoxide ion (R-O^−) is formed, and the molecular hydrogen (H_2) is released as a byproduct. The alkoxide ion typically associates with the positive counterion of the strong base used, like a sodium ion (Na^+) if sodium hydride was used as the base, forming the alkoxide salt (NaO-R).

Writing the overall reaction equation

Knowing the reactants and the products, we can now write the overall chemical equation for the reaction: R-OH + NaH -> NaO-R + H_2 In this equation, R-OH represents the alcohol, NaH is the strong base used, NaO-R is the alkoxide formed, and H_2 is the byproduct of the reaction. By understanding the mechanism and reactants involved in the formation of alkoxides from alcohols, we can predict the products of this reaction and their properties.