Chemistry - ALCOHOL & ETHER Question with Solution | TestHub

Question Explanation:

Question is asking about the product of given reaction of epoxide with nucleophile.

Concept:

Nucleophilic ring opening of an epoxide followed by methylation.

Solution:

The reaction proceeds through nucleophilic ring opening of an unsymmetrical epoxide (propene oxide), followed by methylation.

Step (i): Ring Opening

The acetylide anion acts as a strong nucleophile and base. Under basic or neutral conditions, it attacks the less hindered carbon $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_2\right)$ of the epoxide via an ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{N}}2$ mechanism, opening the ring and forming a primary alkoxide intermediate.

Step (ii): Methylation

The resulting alkoxide is then treated with methyl iodide, which undergoes an ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{N}}2$ reaction to give the final product-a methyl ether, with the OMe group attached at the secondary carbon.