Practice Problem: Mechanism - Reaction of an Epoxide

The video tutorial explains the reaction of an epoxide with methoxide in methanol, focusing on the mechanism. It highlights the susceptibility of epoxides to nucleophilic attack due to ring strain and describes how methoxide, a good nucleophile, attacks the less sterically hindered carbon. This leads to the opening of the epoxide and formation of an oxyanion. The second step involves an intramolecular SN2 reaction, similar to Williamson ether synthesis, resulting in a five-membered ring closure.

What is the main focus of the problem discussed in the video?

• Reacting an epoxide with methoxide in methanol

• Synthesizing a new type of polymer

• Studying the properties of methanol

• Analyzing the structure of methoxide

Why are epoxides particularly susceptible to nucleophilic attack?

• Due to their aromatic nature

• Because of the high ring strain in the three-membered ring

• Due to their large size

• Because they are highly electronegative

Which factor determines the site of nucleophilic attack on an epoxide?

• The color of the epoxide

• The temperature of the reaction

• The steric hindrance at the carbon atoms

• The presence of a catalyst

What is the role of the oxyanion in the reaction mechanism?

• It decomposes the epoxide

• It stabilizes the methoxide

• It performs an SN2 reaction to form a five-membered ring

• It acts as a catalyst

What is the final outcome of the reaction mechanism discussed?

• Complete decomposition of the epoxide

• Formation of a six-membered ring

• Formation of a five-membered ring

• No reaction occurs