In the Formation of the Following Ether, Which Reaction Is

question 106

Multiple Choice

In the formation of the following ether, which reaction is preferred and why?

• A) Reaction B is preferred because the oxidation step works best for primary alcohols.
• B) Reaction A is preferred over reaction B because the smaller methyl iodide would make a better nucleophilic target.
• C) Reaction A is preferred because the the formation of the carbocation would be stabilized in the benzylic position.
• D) Reaction B would be preferred because Iodine is a better leaving group for the S_N1 reaction.
• E) There is no difference in these two reactions -- they would give approximately the same yields.