Given below are two statements:
Statement 1: Ethyl phenyl ether can be prepared by Williamson ether synthesis.
Statement 2: Bromobenzene on reacting with sodium ethoxide gives ethyl phenyl ether.
(a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is correct
(b) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
(c) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct
Correct answer: (b) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
Explanation:
Due to the double bond character in the C-Br bond in bromobenzene, a reaction with sodium ethoxide is not possible.
Bromobenzene does not undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution unless they have an electron-withdrawing group at ortho or para position.
Preparation of Ethyl phenyl ether by Williamson ether synthesis: