Is it possible to synthesise ethers from carboxylic acids?

Question

Is it possible to synthesise ethers from carboxylic acids, and if so, how? By ether I mean an ether in general, not just specific examples.

Answer 1

You cannot convert carboxylic acids directly to an ether in a one step reaction.

One method is to first reduce the carboxylic acid to an alcohol with a strong reducing agent such as LiAlH₄. Then, depending, on the structure of the alcohol, you can dimerize it in the presence of H₂SO₄ and high temperature to form a symmetrical ether. If an unsymmetrical ether is desired, then you would perform a Williamson ether reaction starting with the alcohol.