Chemical Reactions of Ether
( i) Reaction with HX
Ethers with two different alkyl groups are also cleaved in the same manner and results in the formation of a primary halide( or smaller and less complex alkyl halide) by SN 2 mechanism.
R-O-R’ + HX → RX + R’ OR The order of reactivity of hydrogen halides is as follows HI > HBr > HCl
In ethers if one of the alkyl groups is a tertiary group, the halide formed is a tertiary halide by SN 1 mechanism.
( ii) Halogenation