Question

Describe two ways to prepare anisole from benzene.

Short answer

1)

2)

Step-by-step solution

Preparation of anisole using halogenation reaction

Halogenation reaction

Benzene can be converted to chlorobenzene using halogenation reaction. Chlorobenzene dissolved in NaOH solution gives sodium phenoxide as product. This product on treated with methyl iodide gives anisole. This last reaction is known is known as Williamson synthesis.

Preparation of anisole using nitrating mixture

Preparation of anisole using nitrating mixture

Another way to synthesize anisole is treating benzene with nitrating mixture. Resultant nitrobenzene will convert to phenol and from there to anisole respectively.