Explain :
(a) Clemmensen reduction (b) Williamson's Synthesis

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Solution

(a) Clemmensen reduction:
Carbonyl compounds that are not acid sensitive are reduced to hydrocarbons by treatment with Zn/Hg and conc HCl. Thus, carbonyl group is reduced to methylene group. For example, acetone is reduced to propane.
$C H_{3} - C | | O - C H_{3} Zn/Hg - ----- \to conc. HCl C H_{3} - C H_{2} - C H_{3}$
(b) Williamson synthesis:
It is used for the preparation of simple as well as mixed ethers. Alkyl halide is heated with alcoholic sodium or potassium alkoxide to form corresponding ethers.
$R - O N a + X - R Δ - \to R - O - R^{'} + N a X$
Thus, methyl iodide, on heating with alcoholic sodium methoxide forms dimethyl ether.
$C H_{3} - O N a + X - C H_{3} Δ - \to C H_{3} - O - C H_{3} + N a I$

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