Question

Methyl phenyl ether can be obtained by reacting:

• A. Phenolate ions and methyl iodide
• B. Bromobenzene with methoxide ions
• C. Methanol and phenol
• D. Bromobenzene and methyl iodide

Answer 1

The correct option is A Phenolate ions and methyl iodide

Methyl phenyl ether can be obtained by reacting phenolate ions and methyl iodide. Methyl phenyl ether is also known as anisole. The reaction is called Williamson's reaction.
$\underset{\text{phenol}}{C_6{H}_5-OH}+NaOH\to \underset{\text{sodium phenoxide}}{C_6{H}_5-ONa}\stackrel{\underset{\text{methyl iodide}}{C{H}_3-I}}{\to }\underset{\text{anisole}}{C_6{H}_5-O-C{H}_3}$
Williamson's reaction can be used for the preparation of simple as well as mixed ethers.