Question

How can you make alkoxides?

Answer 1

By adding a very strong base to an alcohol.

Explanation:

You can make alkoxides directly from alcohols.

`ROH + G_1H -> RO^(-)J^+ + H_2`

Where `J` is the non-hydrogen of a very strong base, such as sodium, and `R` is the organic chain of the alcohol.

`RO^(-)J^+` is an alkoxide, and contains the carbon chain (`R`), an oxygen negative ion (`O^-`) and a reduced base (`J^+`).

For example,

`C_4H_9OH + LiH -> C_4H_9O^(-)Li^(+) + H_2`