7.3: Ethers, ROR'

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The substituent name for the \(RO-\) function is alkoxy, and it is correct to name \(R-O-R'\) compounds as alkoxy derivatives of hydrocarbons:

Top left: C H 3 single bond O single bond C H 2 C H 2 C H 3. Labeled 1-methoxypropane. Bottom left: C H 3 C H 2 O single bond C H double bond C H 2. Labeled ethoxyethene. Right: benzene ring with O C H 3 substituents on carbons 1, 3 and 5. Labeled 1,3,5-trimethyoxybenzene.

In the common nomenclature for ethers, each of the \(R\) groups in \(R-O-R'\) is named as a separate word, except when the groups are identical, in which case the prefix di or bis may be used (di is used for simple groups, bis for substituted groups):

Left: C H 3 C H 2 O C H 3. Labeled ethyl methyl ether. Middle: Oxygen singly bonded to two benzene rings. Labeled diphenyl ether. Right: C L C H 2 O C H 2 C L. Labeled bis(chloromethyl) ether.

Contributors and Attributions

John D. Robert and Marjorie C. Caserio (1977) Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry, second edition. W. A. Benjamin, Inc. , Menlo Park, CA. ISBN 0-8053-8329-8. This content is copyrighted under the following conditions, "You are granted permission for individual, educational, research and non-commercial reproduction, distribution, display and performance of this work in any format."