Ethers

Ether Structure and General Formula

R-O-R' (Oxygen linked to two alkyl groups)

general formula CnH2n+2O

1st.2 carbon of ether (Common and IUPAC)

Common: Dimethyl ether | IUPAC: Methoxymethane (H3C-O-CH3).

2C+O+C ether (Common and IUPAC)

Common: Ethyl methyl ether | IUPAC: Methoxyethane (C2H5-O-CH3).

Symmetrical vs Unsymmetrical Ethers

Symmetrical: Same alkyl groups

Preparation of Ethers

Dehydration of alcohols with concentrated H2SO4 at 140 °C.

Physical properties of Ethers

Methoxymethane and methoxymethane are colourless gases at room temperature.

Lower members are gases or volatile liquids, highly flammable, and unreactive.

Solubility of Ethers

Ethers with up to 3 Carbon atoms are soluble in water.

Ether Reaction with HI

C-O bond breaks to form an alcohol and an alkyl iodide (CH3OCH3 + HI -> CH3I + CH3OH). With heat

Uses of Ethers

Used as reaction solvents and anaesthetic agent before

The most common member of ethers

Ethoxyethane

Why ether are often used as reaction solvents

fairly inert

The simplest member of ethers

methoxymethane (dimethyl ether)

Nomenclature of ether

Common name: the two alkyl group’s name+ ether

IUPAC name: alkoxy(the smaller + oxygen) +alkane= alkoxy alkane

Now ethoxyethane ethane ( anaesthetic agent) are replaced by

Safer nonflammable alternative (hydrocarbon and halothane)