Ethers are cleaved by acids not by based. Why ?

Ethers are cleaved by acids not by based. Why ? 
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1 Answer

Answer :

The C — O — C bond in ethers like the C — OH bond in alcohols is quite strong. In order to weaken it, the oxygen atom must be protonated. A subsequent nucleophile attack by a strong nucleophile such as Br– as I– ion on the less hindered carbon atom of the protonated :


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bond brings about the cleavage of ethers to form an alcohol and an alkyl halide. The acids only can provide the H+ ion required for protonation of O atom of ether and therefore only acids can bring about the cleavage of ethers and not bases.

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