Question

Why does Potassium Carbonate work as a base for the Williamson Ether Synthesis?

Answer 1

Hint: The Williamson reaction has a wide range of applications, is frequently employed in both laboratory and commercial synthesis, and is still the most straightforward and widely utilised way of producing ethers. It's simple to make both symmetrical and asymmetrical ethers. Epoxides are produced by the intramolecular interaction of halohydrins in particular.

Complete answer:
The Williamson ether synthesis is an organic process in which an organohalide and a deprotonated alcohol are combined to create an ether (alkoxide). It usually includes an $S{N}_2$ reaction between an alkoxide ion and a primary alkyl halide. This reaction is significant in organic chemistry since it contributed to the discovery of the structure of ethers. The following is the general response mechanism:

An $S{N}_2$ bimolecular nucleophilic substitution mechanism is used in the Williamson ether synthesis. A backside assault of an electrophile by a nucleophile occurs in an $S{N}_2$ reaction mechanism, and it occurs in a coordinated manner (happens all at once). A suitable leaving group that is highly electronegative, such as a halide, is required for the $S{N}_2$ reaction to occur. An alkoxide ion ($R{O}^{-}$) functions as the nucleophile in the Williamson ether reaction, attacking the electrophilic carbon with the leaving group, which is usually an alkyl tosylate or an alkyl halide.
Because secondary and tertiary leaving sites prefer to continue as an elimination reaction, the leaving site must be a primary carbon. Due to steric hindrance, this reaction does not promote the synthesis of bulky ethers like di-tertbutyl ether, and instead prefers the formation of alkenes.
The breakdown of carbonate into carbon dioxide and water produces potassium hydroxide, which may be used as a base.
One carbon and three oxygens make up carbonate. One hydrogen atom can be drawn from two distinct water molecules by the carbonate. One carbon dioxide molecule, one water molecule, and two hydroxide ions are the end products. The two K +1 ions that were part of the ionic molecule of potassium carbonate mix with two $$O{H}^{-}$$ ions to create two ionic KOH molecules. Because of the existence of two "new" basic KOH molecules, the Carbon Dioxide molecule will exit the solution as a gas, and the water will become part of the solution's solvent liquid, making the solution more basic.

Note:
The inorganic compound potassium carbonate has the formula $$K_{2}C{O}_3$$. It's a crystalline white salt that dissolves in water. It is a delicate substance that frequently seems moist or wet. Soap and glass are two of the most common uses for potassium carbonate. Commercially, potassium carbonate is made by reacting potassium hydroxide with carbon dioxide.