text: Williamson is a good way to make unsymmetrical ethers\n\nYou need \n\n-an alcohol (R-OH) , \n-a pretty strong base (B:), \n-and something with a good leaving group such as an alkyl halide or a tosylate/mesylate (R'-X). \n\nYou're R'-X should be primary or secondary because the reaction you will do will be SN2. \n\nThe overall reaction is \nR-OH + B: + R'-X -> R-O-R' + B: + HX\n\nR-O-R' is the ether. Sometimes the side products can be other things such as H2, etc. The base can just be Na for example.\n\n1. R-OH + B: -> R-O-  \n\nthat means that the base abstracts a proton to make the alcohol an alkoxide. \n\n2. R-O- + R'-X -> R-O-R'\n\nThe alkoxide acts as a nucleophile and attack the R'-X. The ether will be your product.