Two bromoethers are obtained from the reaction of the following alkyl dihalide with methanol. Draw the structures of the ethers.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Analyze the given alkyl dihalide structure: The molecule contains a cyclopentane ring with two chlorine atoms attached to adjacent carbons. One chlorine is on a wedge (indicating it is above the plane), and the other is on a dash (indicating it is below the plane). Additionally, there is a benzyl group attached to the cyclopentane ring.
2. Understand the reaction conditions: The reaction involves methanol (CH3OH), which acts as a nucleophile. Methanol can substitute the halide groups (chlorine atoms) via an SN2 mechanism, leading to the formation of ethers.
3. Consider the stereochemistry: Since the reaction proceeds via an SN2 mechanism, the stereochemistry at the carbon centers will invert. This means that the configuration of the carbon bonded to the chlorine will flip when the methanol replaces the chlorine.
4. Predict the products: Two bromoethers will be formed because the reaction can occur at either of the two carbons bearing chlorine. The first product will have methanol substituting the chlorine on the wedge, while the second product will have methanol substituting the chlorine on the dash. Both products will retain the benzyl group and the cyclopentane ring structure.
5. Draw the structures of the ethers: For each product, replace one chlorine atom with an OCH3 group (from methanol) while ensuring the stereochemistry is inverted at the substitution site. The remaining chlorine atom stays in its original position.

Key Concepts

Nucleophilic Substitution

Nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where a nucleophile attacks an electrophile, resulting in the replacement of a leaving group. In this case, methanol acts as the nucleophile, attacking the carbon atom bonded to the halogen in the alkyl dihalide, leading to the formation of bromoethers.

Ethers

Ethers are organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. They are formed through the reaction of alcohols with alkyl halides, where the hydroxyl group of the alcohol replaces a halogen atom. Understanding the structure and properties of ethers is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction shown.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry refers to the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. In the reaction of the alkyl dihalide with methanol, the stereochemistry of the resulting bromoethers can vary depending on the configuration of the starting material and the mechanism of substitution, which can lead to different isomers.