Ether

• Ether


  Formed by two aryl or alkyl groups attached to an oxygen atom
• Classification of Ether

  • Symmetrical: identical alkyl or aryl groups on both sides of O atom
  • Asymmetrical: different alkyl or aryl groups on both sides of O atom
• Classification of Ether


  • Aliphatic: no aryl group is attached to the ether oxygen
  • Aromatic: at least one aryl group is attached to the ether oxygen
• Ether has a much lower boiling point than alcohol and phenol due to the absence of an OH group
• Even with increased number of C atoms, the boiling point of ether is still low since there is no OH group
• Ether


  With the absence of an OH group, ethers do not perform hydrogen bonding, which means their bonds are mainly non-polar
• Ether


  Low polarity = less acidity, ethers are less acidic than alcohols and phenols
• Ether


  With ether having non-polar bonds, it has more stability, thus having low reactivity
• Ether


  Low reactivity makes them inert in nature, however, its two lone pairs on the oxygen atom helps with a bit of reactivity
• Reactions of Ether


  Carbon-oxygen bond is broken when a strong acid reacts with ether, forming an alkyl halide and alcohol
• Pharmaceutical Importance of Ether

  • Antiseptic
  • Solvent
  • Anaesthetic
  • Paint
  • Perfuming & flavouring agent
  • Recreational drugs