ethers

[amit]

cant ethers be prepared by clemmensen or wolf-kihsner reduction of esters if not then what is the problem:eek:

[John Cuthber]

No. The problem is that other reactions happen instead. Hydrolysis of the ester to the alcohol and acid would occur with both Clemmenson and Wolf Kishner conditions. The strong base conditions of the W-K reaction waould also produce condensation reactions.

[amit]

what about anhydrides

[John Cuthber]

Same problems as before.