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