Ether
Definition and meaning of Ether in chemistry.
An ether is an organic compound in which an oxygen atom is bonded to two carbon-containing groups (R–O–R'), with no hydrogen or other atoms attached to that oxygen.
In more detail
The C–O–C linkage gives ethers a bent geometry similar to water, and the oxygen's lone pairs make ethers weakly polar and good Lewis bases, but the absence of an O–H bond means ethers cannot hydrogen-bond with each other. This makes them far less reactive than alcohols of similar molar mass, with lower boiling points and resistance to oxidation, dehydration, and most acids and bases. Their inertness combined with good solvating power for both polar and nonpolar solutes makes ethers valuable as laboratory and industrial solvents, especially for Grignard reactions and other organometallic chemistry.
Key facts
| General formula | R–O–R' |
|---|---|
| Functional group | ether linkage (C–O–C) |
| Common example | diethyl ether, C4H10O |
| Field | Organic Chemistry |
Diethyl ether, CH3CH2–O–CH2CH3, is a volatile, highly flammable liquid once used as a surgical anesthetic and still widely used as a laboratory solvent.
Frequently asked questions
Why are ethers less reactive than alcohols?
Ethers lack an O–H bond, so they cannot hydrogen-bond to each other or easily undergo oxidation, esterification, or deprotonation the way alcohols can.
Are ethers dangerous to store?
Yes; many ethers, including diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, slowly form explosive peroxides on exposure to air and light, so they should be stored in dark containers and tested before distillation.