General Chemistry for the Health Care Professions

General Chemistry
for the
Health Care Professions

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3-10. ETHERS

An ether can be thought of as a hydrocarbon derivative of water where the two hydrogens of water are replaced by hydrocarbon groups. Thus, ethers have the general structural formula R-O-R' where R and R' represent any two hydrocarbons, which may be alike or different. Some examples of ethers are:

CH₃ – CH₂ –- O – CH₂ – CH₃

CH₃ – O – CH₃

CH₂ = CH – O – CH₃

Properties of Ethers. Ether molecules are slightly polar, but cannot form hydrogen bonds with each other since they do not have a hydrogen atom attached directly to an oxygen atom. Therefore, they have about the same boiling points and melting points as alkanes of similar molecular weights.

	M.W.	Boiling Point
CH₃ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₃	100	98°C
CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₃	102	100°C

Reactions of Ethers. Since ether molecules are slightly polar and have an oxygen atom in their structure, they can form hydrogen bonds with water. This property accounts for the fact that ethers are slightly soluble in water. Chemically, ethers are inert except for the oxidation reaction. Ethers are oxidized in the presence of oxygen to form peroxides, which are explosive when concentrated.

Uses of Ethers. Medicinally, ethers are used as general anesthetics. They are also used as solvents. Many of you are involved with ordering and storing ethers.

Original content of this course is supplied by Academy of Health Sciences
Fort Sam Houston, Tx.