--%>

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 : Why aryl halides are less reactive?

    Aryl halides are much less reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions than haloalkanes. The less reactivity of aryl halides can be described

  • Q : Molarity of solution Help me to go

    Help me to go through this problem. When 7.1gm Na2SO4 (molecular mass 142) dissolves in 100ml H2O , the molarity of the solution is: (a) 2.0 M (b) 1.0 M (c) 0.5 M (d) 0.05 M

  • Q : Problem on relative humidity Relative

    Relative humidity is the ratio of the partial pressure of water in air to the partial pressure of water in air saturated with water at the same temperature, stated as a percentage: Relative  =

    Q : Problem on Clausius equation of state

    If a gas can be described by the Clausius equation of state: P (V-b) = RT Where b is a constant, then:  (a) Obtain an expression for the residual vo

  • Q : Film Mass Transport Sulfur trioxide

    Sulfur trioxide (SO3) is manufactured by the gas-phase oxidation of SO2 over a platinum catalyst: SO2 + ½ O2 à SO3 The catalyst is a non-porous ext

  • 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 : What is adsorption and its examples. In

    In a liquid a solid substance a molecule present within the bulk of the substance is being attracted infirmly from all sides by the neighbouring molecules. Hence there is no bet force acting on the molecule or there are no unbalanced forces of the molecule. On the oth

  • Q : Concentration of urea Help me to go

    Help me to go through this problem. 6.02x 1020 molecules of urea are present in 100 ml of its solution. The concentration of urea solution is: (a) 0.02 M (b) 0.01 M (c) 0.001 M (d) 0.1 M (Avogadro constant, N4= 6.02x 1023mol -1)<

  • Q : Liquid Vapour Free Energies The free

    The free energy of a component of a liquid solution is equal to its free energy in the equilibrium vapour.Partial molal free energies let us deal with the free energy of the components of a solution. We use these free energies, or simpler concentration ter

  • Q : Help 1) Chromium(III) hydroxide is

    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 support your answer. 2) Explain how dissolving t