What is the major product of the reaction of 1-bromobutane with sodium ethoxide?

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Q: What is the major product of the reaction of 1-bromobutane with sodium ethoxide?

Solution: The reaction of 1-bromobutane with sodium ethoxide leads to the formation of ethyl butyl ether through an SN2 mechanism.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Identify the reactants. We have 1-bromobutane (a primary alkyl halide) and sodium ethoxide (a strong nucleophile).
Step 2: Recognize that sodium ethoxide can act as a nucleophile, meaning it can donate a pair of electrons to form a bond.
Step 3: Understand that 1-bromobutane is a primary alkyl halide, which is suitable for an SN2 reaction mechanism.
Step 4: In the SN2 mechanism, the nucleophile (sodium ethoxide) attacks the carbon atom that is bonded to the bromine atom in 1-bromobutane.
Step 5: As the nucleophile attacks, the bromine atom leaves, resulting in the formation of a new bond between the ethoxide and the butyl group.
Step 6: The major product of this reaction is ethyl butyl ether, which is formed when the ethoxide ion bonds with the butyl group.