It is the most common way to create a product that can also be obtained by acid-catalyzed intermolecular dehydration of alcohols.
The chemist for whom this reaction is named gained fame for mentoring a group of Japanese students known as the Choushu Five. Phase transfer catalysts like tetra-butyl-ammonium are often used in industrial procedures to provide a soft counter-ion, while one version of it sees an alkyl tosylate react with an alcohol. It is the most common way to create a product that can also be obtained by acid-catalyzed intermolecular dehydration of alcohols. In its usual form, this reaction sees an alkoxide ion react through backside attack with a primary alkyl halide. For 10 points, name this reaction used to produce symmetrical and assymetrical ethers.
The chemist for whom this reaction is named gained fame for mentoring a group of Japanese students known as the Choushu Five.
Williamson ether synthesis