1.4 Ethers

  • General formula: R-O-R
Properties of Ethers
  • Like water, ethers take the V shape due to paired electrons on oxygen
  • This V shape makes the ether molecules more polar than hydrocarbons, increasing intermolecular attraction between ether molecules compared to hydrocarbons but weaker than alcohols (no H-bonds)
  • The boiling points of ethers are slightly higher than those of analogous hydrocarbons, but lower than those of alcohols.
      * Ethers are good solvents for organic reactions since they mix with polar (due to C – O bond) and nonpolar (due to alkyl groups) substances.
      * Dipole-Dipole, not a hydrogen bond!

 Tetrahedral Bent Shape

Condensation/Dehydration Synthesis Reaction
  • Prepares ethers from TWO alcohols
  • Requires a catalyst (hydrogen)

 Condensation Reaction

Naming Ethers
  • longer chain becomes parent chain (alkane name). Shorter chain get the “oxy” suffix and is treated like a branch.