Direct Etherification of Alkyl Halides by Sodium Hydride in the Presence of N,N-Dimethylformamide.

A novel synthetic method for the preparation of various alkyl ethers is described. The reaction between alkyl halides and sodium hydride in the presence of N, N-dimethylformamide afforded the corresponding symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers in high yields. A reaction mechanism for etherification is also proposed.