How can you make alkoxides?

1 Answer
Apr 5, 2016

By adding a very strong base to an alcohol.

Explanation:

You can make alkoxides directly from alcohols.

ROH + G_1H -> RO^(-)J^+ + H_2

Where J is the non-hydrogen of a very strong base, such as sodium, and R is the organic chain of the alcohol.

RO^(-)J^+ is an alkoxide, and contains the carbon chain (R), an oxygen negative ion (O^-) and a reduced base (J^+).

For example,

C_4H_9OH + LiH -> C_4H_9O^(-)Li^(+) + H_2