ETHER
Maddy Thorn
Sydney Yocum
Jason Tutchton
Period 1 Hinkson
Basic Structure




Ether has two carbon bonds to an oxygen
atom
Has a pair of alkyl or atomic groups attached
to a linking oxygen atom.
Functional group is ROR
Have primary, secondary, and tertiary
structures
Characteristics
 Melting
point of 116.3° C
 Boiling point of 34.6° C
 Molecular weight of 750
 Colorless
 No strong odor
 Primarily a liquid
Nomenclature
 All
are named as alkoxy derivatives of
alkanes
 Always named in alphabetical order
 Can be symmetrical or unsymmetrical
 Example: diethyl ether is symmetrical
 Ethyl methyl ether is unsymmetrical
Mechanisms
 Example
1: synthesis of ethers is used to
make sterically hindered symmetrical
ethers
Mechanisms ctnd.
 Williamson
reaction
Method: an acid-base
• SN2 reaction: when ethers are treated
with acid, they can give off strong
alcohols and halides.
Examples
 Ethylene
glycol
 Dimethyl ether
 Diethyl ether
 Polyethylene glycol
 Cycloprenthyl methyl ether
Real World Importance
 Ethyl
Ether
First used in
anesthetics for
surgery
Used to remove
gum
Also used as a
muscle relaxer
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which mechanism involves an
acid-base reaction?
A) SN2
B) Williamson Method
C) Synthesis of Ethers
3. Which ether is used as a muscle
relaxer?
A) Diethyl ether
B) Cycloprenthyl methyl ether
C) Ethyl ether
5. What state of matter is ether usually in?
A) Solid
B) Liquid
C) Gas
2. What functional group does ether
belong to?
A) ORO
B) ROR
C) RRR
4. Ether is…
A) Blue
B) Yellow
C) Colorless
Answers
 1)
B- Williamson Method
 2) B- ROR
 3) C- Ethyl ether
 4) C- Colorless
 5) B- Liquid
Works Cited






http://www.friendlyscience.com/index.php?option=com
http://www.chemistry-drills.com/functionalgroups.php?q=simple
http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/carey/student/olc/c
h15synthesisethers.html
http://chemistry2.csudh.edu/rpendarvis/EtherSH.html
http://chemistry.boisestate.edu/people/richardbanks/organic/
nomenclature/ethernomenclature1.htm
http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/Chemistry/Organic/NamingEthers.php