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 new insight or understanding did you gain from this video?

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