--%>

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 : What is Distillation Separation by

    Separation by distillation can be described with a boiling point diagram. The important process of distillation can now be investigated. From the boiling point diagram one can see that if a small amount of vapour were removed from a liquid of composit

  • Q : What are the various types of drugs

    Drugs are broadly classified into following types depending on the purpose for which they are used. 1. Antipyretics

  • Q : Vapour pressure related question Help

    Help me to solve this question. Which of the following is incorrect: (a) Relative lowering of vapour pressure is independent (b)The vapour pressure is a colligative property (c)Vapour pressure of a solution is lower than the vapour pressure of the solvent (d)The

  • Q : What are different mechanisms for

    Nucleophilic substitution reactions in halides containing  - X bond may take place through either of the two different mechanisms,S<

  • Q : Adiabatic compression A lean natural

    A lean natural gas is available at 18oC and 65 bars and must be compressed for economical pipeline transportation. The gas is first adiabatically compressed to 200 bars and then isobarically (i.e. at constant pressure) cooled to 25°C. The gas, which is

  • Q : What is Spectroscopy? This is a very

    This is a very important aspect of Physical Chemistry in which knowledge of the size, shape, rigidity and electronic structure of molecules deduced from the experimental methods treated here goes hand in hand with the theoretical approaches of chemical reactions. Spec

  • Q : Group IV Cations Chromium(III)

    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 support your answer.

  • Q : From where the tin is obtained From

    From where the tin is obtained? Briefly illustrate it.

  • Q : What are Vander Waal's Radii? Vander

    Vander Waal's radii can be assigned to the atoms of molecules on the basis of the closeness of approach of these atoms in crystalline substances. Diffraction studies of crystals give information about hoe molecules can approach each other and can pack

  • Q : Molecular energies and speeds The

    The average translational kinetic energies and speeds of the molecules of a gas can be calculated.The result that the kinetic energy of 1 mol of the molecules of a gas is equal to 3/2 RT can be used to obtain numerical values for the