18.0 Introduction

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Objectives

After completing this section, you should be able to use the terms “ether,” “diethyl ether” and “ethyl ether” appropriately in context.
Key Terms

ether (R-O-R′)

peroxide
sulphide (R-S-R′)
thiol (R-O-H)

Study Notes

As defined in the textbook, an “ether” is a substance with the general formula R-O-R′ where R and R′ are alkyl, aryl, vinyl or allyl groups. However, the word “ether” is also commonly used to refer to the specific compound, CH₃-CH₂-O-CH₂-CH₃, which is correctly called “diethyl ether.” Further confusion can arise because some chemists refer to “diethyl ether” as “ethyl ether.” In this course, “ether” will be used to refer to the class of compounds with the structure R O R′ ; diethyl ether will refer to the compound, CH₃-CH₂-O-CH₂-CH₃; and “ethyl ether” will not be used.

Contributors

Dr. Dietmar Kennepohl FCIC (Professor of Chemistry, Athabasca University)