--%>

What are Ethers and its types?

Ethers are the compounds with general formula or CnH2n+2O (same as monohydric alcohols). These are symbolized through a general structure. R-O-R'. They may be regarded as dialkyl derivatives of water or mono alkyl derivatives of alcohols.
                          
1476_ethers.png 

They are also considered as anhydrides of alcohols because they can be obtained by the elimination of water molecule from two alcohol molecules.
                        
1507_ethers1.png 

The groups R and R' in ether may either be same or different. In case these groups are same, the compounds are known as simple ethers or symmetrical ethers. On the other hand, if R and R' groups are different, the compounds are called mixed ether or unsymmetrical ethers.
                     
C2H5-O-C2H5      Simple ether
                     
C2H5-O-CH3         Mixed ether


Ethers may also be classified into two categories as aliphatic ethers and aromatic ethers. In aliphatic ethers, the groups R and R' are both alkyl groups whereas in aromatic ethers, one or both R and R' groups are aryl groups. Ether with one alkyl and one aryl groups are also called aryl alkyl ethers or phenolic ethers whereas ethers with both aryl groups are called diaryl ethers. Few examples are taken below:

775_ethers2.png

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Hydroxide is highly insoluble in

     : 1) Chromium(III) hydroxide is highly insoluble in distilled water but dissolves readily in either acidic or basic solution. Briefly explain why the compound can dissolve in acidic or in basic but not in neutral solution. Write appropriate equations to

  • Q : Crystals of covalent compounds Crystals

    Crystals of the covalent compounds always contain:(i) Atoms as their structural units  (ii) Molecules as structural units  (iii) Ions held altogether by electrostatic forces (iv) High melting pointsAnswer: (i)

  • Q : What are heterogenous catalysis? Give

    When the catalyst exists in a different phase than that of reactants, it is said to be heterogeneous catalyst, and the catalysis is called heterogeneous catalysis. For example, SO2 can be oxidized to SO3

  • Q : Problem on vapour pressure and mole

    Provide solution of this question. The vapour pressure of a solvent decreased by 10 mm of mercury, when a non-volatile solute was added to the solvent. The mole fraction of the solute in the solution is 0.2. What should be the mole fraction of the solvent, if decrea

  • Q : What are isotonic and hypotonic

    The two solutions which are having equivalent osmotic pressure are called isotonic solutions. The isotonic solutions at the same temperature also have same molar concentration. If we have solutions having different osmotic pressures then the solution having different

  • Q : Explain oxygen and its preparation.

    Karl Scheele, the Swedish chemist, was

  • Q : Coordination compounds discuss

    discuss practical uses of coordination compounds

  • Q : Explain physical properties of

    . Boiling pointsThe boiling points of monohalogen derivatives of benzene, which are all liquids, follow the orderIodo > Bromo > ChloroThe boiling points of isomeric dihalobe

  • Q : Problem based on normality Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. NaClO solution reacts with H2SO3 as,. NaClO + H2SO3→NaCl+ H2SO4. A solution of NaClO utilized in the above reaction contained 15g of NaClO per litre. The

  • Q : Molarity in Nacl The molarity of 0.006

    The molarity of 0.006 mole of NaCl in 100 solutions will be: (i) 0.6 (ii) 0.06 (iii) 0.006 (iv) 0.066 (v) None of theseChoose the right answer from above.Answer: The right answer is (ii) M = n/ v(