Question

How are simple ethers and mixed ethers prepared using diazomethane?

Answer 1

Ethers are anhydrides of alcohols. They can be prepared by the action of diazomethane on alcohols. This reaction takes place in presence of catalyst, fluoroboric acid $\left(HB{F}_4\right)$.
Simple ethers: Methyl alcohol react with diazomethane in presence of catalyst fluoroboric acid to give dimethyl ether.
$\underset{Methanol}{C{H}_{3}OH}+\underset{Diazomethane}{C{H}_2{N}_2}\stackrel{HB{F}_4}{\underset{\Delta }{\to }}\underset{\underset{Methane}{Methoxy}}{C{H}_{3}OC{H}_3}+N_2\uparrow$
Mixed ethers: Ethyl alcohol and phenol react with diazomethane in the presence of catalyst fluoroboric acid to give mixed ether, i.e., Ethyl methyl ether and methyoxy benzene.
$\underset{Ethanol}{C_2{H}_{5}OH}+\underset{Diazomethane}{C{H}_2{N}_2}\stackrel{HB{F}_4}{\underset{\Delta }{\to }}\underset{\underset{ether}{EthylMethyl}}{C_2{H}_{5}OC{H}_3}+N_2\uparrow$
$\underset{Phenol}{C_6{H}_{5}OH}$ $+\underset{Diazomethane}{C{H}_2{N}_2}$ $\stackrel{HB{F}_4}{\underset{\Delta }{\to }}$ $\underset{\underset{benzene}{Methoxy}}{C_6{H}_{5}OC{H}_3}+N_2\uparrow$