Reaction Mechanism

The reaction given is the Williamson Ether synthesis reaction. In this reaction, an alkoxide ion is used as a nucleophile to attack the electrophilic carbon of an alkyl halide, resulting in the formation of an ether.

R-X + NaOR → R-O-R + NaX

Explanation

- R-X: Alkyl halide, which is electrophilic in nature due to the presence of a polarized carbon-halogen bond.
- NaOR: Alkoxide ion, which is a strong nucleophile due to the presence of a negative charge on oxygen.
- R-O-R: Ether, which is the main product formed in this reaction.
- NaX: Halide ion, which is a by-product of this reaction.

The alkoxide ion attacks the carbon of the alkyl halide, causing the halogen to leave as a halide ion. This results in the formation of an ether molecule. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a polar solvent such as DMSO or DMF, which helps in the dissolution of both the reactants.

The product formed in this reaction is an ether, as the alkoxide ion attacks the electrophilic carbon of the alkyl halide, resulting in the formation of an oxygen-oxygen bond, which forms the ether. The other products such as alcohol, ester or amine are not formed as the reactants used in this reaction do not have the required functional groups to form these products.

Conclusion

Hence, the main product formed in the given reaction is an ether, which is formed through the Williamson Ether Synthesis reaction.