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JEE Main levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 2 of 3ap137

Select the correct statements about ethers.

  1. AThe methoxy group deactivates the ring of anisole toward electrophilic substitution relative to benzene.
  2. BEthoxyethane has a much lower boiling point than its isomer butan-1-ol.
  3. CEthers such as ethoxyethane slowly form explosive peroxides on exposure to air.
  4. DWilliamson synthesis of tert-butyl ethyl ether is best carried out with sodium ethoxide and 2-chloro-2-methylpropane.

Answer: B, C

Ethers cannot hydrogen bond with each other, so ethoxyethane (308 K) boils far below butan-1-ol (390 K). Ethers form peroxides on air exposure. A tertiary halide with ethoxide gives elimination, so that route fails, and the group activates the ring by its effect.
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