• General Formula:
R1-O-R2
• Alkyl groups on
both sides of
Oxygen
• Low chemical
reactivity
1. Simple Ethers: Name alkyl groups A-Z
followed by “ether”.
Ex. CH3-O-CH2-CH3
“Ethyl methyl ether”
2. Another way is to add “-oxy-” to the prefix
(meth-, eth-, etc) of the smaller carbon
group.
Ex. CH3-O-CH2-CH3
“methoxyethane”
3. If two alkyl groups are the same, use
prefixes di-, tri-, tetra-, etc. to signify the
branches.
Ex. CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3
“Diethyl ether” or “ethoxyethane”
• Also known as
“Ether” or
“Ethoxyethane”
• Most common ether
• Colorless and
flammable liquid
• Common solvent,
general anesthetic
Ethoxyethane
• Shelf life of 2 years
• Contact with air and
light can form
peroxide
• Shake or Move=
Boom
Dimethyl
Ether
Ethylene
Oxide
Methoxybenzene
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Carboxylic Acids
Esters
Aldehydes
Ketones
Alcohols
Amines
• Ethers