Explain why the acid-catalyzed condensation is a poor method for the synthesis of an unsymmetrical ether such as ethyl methyl ether, CH₃CH₂ - O - CH_3.

Condensation reactions constitute an essential reaction in organic chemistry. An example of a condensation reaction is Claisen condensation.

Unsymmetrical ethers constitute ethers where the groups located on two sides of the oxygen atom are distinct. An example of an unsymmetrical ether is ethyl methyl ether ( CH₃OC₂H₅).

The sulphuric acid-catalyzed alcohol dehydration produces different products via unimolecular dehydration (E1 mechanism) and bimolecular dehydration (SN2 displacement reaction). The E1 mechanism produces an alkene, whereas the SN2 displacement mechanism generates an ether.

However, only symmetrical ethers are produced by SN2 displacement reaction from symmetrical alcohols. The unsymmetrical ethers generate a mixture of products. The reaction can be given as:

The combination of methanol and ethanol generates a mixture of products