Question

How do the following react?
(i) Benzyl phenyl ether and HI at 375 K.
(ii) Ethyl methyl ether and ${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$ at 273 K.

Answer 1

Hint: Ethers can be defined as a group of organic compounds having an oxygen atom which is further bonded to two same or different alkyl or aryl groups. The general formula represented by ethers is R-O-R’, where R and R’ represents any alkyl group or aryl group both may or may not be the same.

Complete answer:
Let’s discuss both the reactions one by one
(i) Benzyl phenyl ether is shown by R-O-R’ in which one R group is benzyl and R’ group is represented by benzyl group and the structure is shown as:

When benzyl phenyl ether reacts with HI it gives benzyl iodide and phenol as products and reaction can be shown as:

(ii) Ethyl methyl ether in which one substituent is ethyl and another one is methyl and both are attached with oxygen atom which can be shown as:
${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}OC{{H}_{3}}$ reacts with sulfuric acid i.e. ${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$ reacts with ethyl methyl ether then ethers are hydrolyzed into alcohols which can be shown as:
${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}OC{{H}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}O\to {{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}OH+C{{H}_{3}}OH$
Product formed are methanol and ethanol.

Note:
On the basic R and R’ group attached to oxygen atom ethers are divided into two categories that are known as symmetrical and asymmetrical ethers in which symmetrical ethers have two identical groups attached to either side of an oxygen atom while in case of unsymmetrical ethers there are two distinct group attached to either side of an oxygen atom.