The Williamson ether synthesis is a widely used method for synthesizing ethers from an alkoxide ion and an alkyl halide. To synthesize symmetrical ethers using this reaction, you need to follow these steps:1. Choose the appropriate alcohol: Since you want to synthesize a symmetrical ether, you need to choose an alcohol that will form the desired ether when reacted with itself. For example, if you want to synthesize diethyl ether CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3 , you would choose ethanol CH3CH2OH as the starting alcohol.2. Generate the alkoxide ion: The alcohol is first deprotonated to form an alkoxide ion. This is typically done by reacting the alcohol with a strong base, such as sodium hydride NaH or sodium metal Na . The reaction is as follows: CH3CH2OH + Na CH3CH2O- Na+ 3. React the alkoxide ion with an alkyl halide: The alkoxide ion is then reacted with an alkyl halide, which should be derived from the same alcohol to ensure the formation of a symmetrical ether. In the case of diethyl ether synthesis, you would use ethyl bromide CH3CH2Br or ethyl chloride CH3CH2Cl as the alkyl halide. The reaction proceeds via an SN2 mechanism: CH3CH2O- Na+ + CH3CH2Br CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3 + NaBrFactors affecting the yield of the Williamson ether synthesis reaction:1. Steric hindrance: The yield of the reaction is affected by the steric hindrance of the alkyl halide. Primary alkyl halides are the most reactive, while tertiary alkyl halides are the least reactive due to steric hindrance. In the case of symmetrical ethers, using primary alkyl halides will generally provide better yields.2. Nature of the leaving group: The leaving group in the alkyl halide should be a good leaving group, such as iodide, bromide, or chloride. Iodide is the best leaving group, followed by bromide and then chloride. Using a better leaving group will improve the yield of the reaction.3. Solvent: The choice of solvent can also affect the yield of the reaction. Polar aprotic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO or dimethylformamide DMF , are generally preferred for Williamson ether synthesis as they can stabilize the transition state and increase the reaction rate.4. Temperature: The reaction temperature can also impact the yield. Higher temperatures can increase the reaction rate, but they may also lead to side reactions or decomposition of the reactants. It is essential to optimize the temperature for each specific reaction to achieve the best yield.5. Purity of reactants: The presence of impurities or moisture in the reactants can lead to side reactions or reduced yields. It is crucial to use dry and pure reactants for the Williamson ether synthesis.