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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Alkoxide?

Definition 22.1 University Chemistry — Year 1 · Chapter 22 — Alcohols: Activating the OH Group

An alkoxide is the conjugate base ROX−\ce{RO-} of an alcohol ROH\ce{ROH}: methoxide CHX3OX−\ce{CH3O-}, ethoxide CHX3CHX2OX−\ce{CH3CH2O-}, tert-butoxide (CHX3)X3COX−\ce{(CH3)3CO-}. Alkoxides are strong bases and good nucleophiles.

Examples

Example 22.5 (An unsymmetrical ether)

2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane (methyl tert-butyl ether): sodium tert-butoxide with iodomethane gives it cleanly; sodium methoxide with the tertiary bromide, 2-bromo-2-methylpropane, gives 2-methylpropene by E2. Bulky on the alkoxide side, small on the halide side.

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