Ethers
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What are ethers?
a chemical compound where and oxygen atom connects two substituted groups
Nomenclature-Ethers can be named by naming each of the two carbon groups as a separate word followed by a space and the word ether.
Examples- to see the names highlight name left of the structure
| Name | Structure |
| methyl methyl ether (dimethyl ether) | CH3–O–CH3 |
| ethyl methyl ether | CH3–CH2–O–CH3 |
| ethyl ethyl ether (diethyl ether) | CH3–CH2–O-CH2–CH3 |
| ethyl propyl ether | CH3–CH2–O-CH2-CH2–CH3 |
| propyl propyl ether (dipropyl ether) | CH3–CH2–CH2–O-CH2-CH2–CH3 |
Synthesis
Primary alcohols react to produce an ether and water
R-OH + R-OH → R-O-R + H2O