Important Topic: Ethers

An ether group connects the oxygen atom to two alkyl or aryl groups in a chemical compound known as ether. Ether is derived from the Latin aether, which means “to flame.” At room temperature and under high pressure, ethers are easily flammable. R-O-R, R-O-R’, R-O-Ar, or Ar-O-Ar is the generic formula for ether, where R represents an alkyl group and Ar represents an aryl group. This topic is commonly encountered in organic chemistry, and it is also a well-covered topic in biochemistry, where common connections between carbohydrates and lignin can be found. Meanwhile, ethers have a structure that consists primarily of twisted C–O–C connections. The ether’s general structure is depicted in the diagram above. As you can see, ether is primarily defined by an oxygen atom coupled to two alkyl or aryl groups, R and R’ in this case. The substituents can be identical or dissimilar.

Ether Physical Properties

At ambient temperature, dimethyl ether and ethyl methyl ether are both gases. Colourless, pleasant-smelling, volatile liquids with a distinctive ether odour are other lower homologues.

1) Dipole moment: Because the C-O-C bond angle is not 180 degrees, the dipole moments of the two C-O bonds do not cancel, ethers have a modest net dipole moment.

2) Boiling point: The boiling points of ether molecules are similar to those of alkanes, but they are much lower than those of alcohols of similar molecular mass. Because alcohol has hydrogen bonds, this is the case.

3) Solubility: The solubility of ethers in water is similar to that of similar molecular mass alcohols. Water dissolves ether molecules. This is due to the fact that ether’s oxygen atoms, like those of alcohol, can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Also, as the number of carbon atoms increases, solubility decreases. This is because the potential for H-bond formation reduces as the hydrocarbon content of the molecule increases.

4) Polarity: Because the oxygen atom is unable to participate in hydrogen bonding due to the presence of bulky alkyl groups on both sides of the oxygen atom, ether is less polar than esters, alcohols, or amines. However, ether has a higher polarity than alkenes.

Ethers are classified according to their chemical properties.

Based on the substituent group connected to the oxygen atom, ethers can be divided into two categories: symmetrical ethers and asymmetrical ethers.
Symmetrical ethers: are ones in which the oxygen atom is linked to two identical groups.
CH3 – CH2 – O – CH2 – CH3 is an example (Diethyl ether)
Asymmetrical ethers: Two distinct groups are connected to the oxygen atom in asymmetrical ethers.
CH3 – O – CH2 – CH3 is an example of a compound (Ethyl methyl ether)

Ethers Nomenclature

Ethers are named by adding the term ‘ether’ to the names of two alkyl/aryl groups linked to oxygen. These alkyl groups are organised alphabetically.
T-butyl methyl ether and ethyl methyl ether, for example.
When the name of an ether contains only one alkyl/aryl group, it suggests two similar groups, as in ethyl ether for diethyl ether. The IUPAC nomenclature for ethers employs a more complicated group as the root term, with the oxygen atom and the smaller group being referred to as an alkoxy substituent. Ethers are alkoxy alkanes in IUPAC systems.

2-methoxy-2-methylpropane (methyl tert-butyl ether), phenoxy benzene, ethoxyethane (diethyl ether), methoxy ethane (methyl ethyl ether), 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane (methyl tert-butyl ether) (diphenyl ether).

Because these functional groups can be stated in the root name, this IUPAC nomenclature is highly useful for identifying compounds having extra functional groups.

Ether’s Applications

Dimethyl ether is used as a refrigerant and a solvent at low temperatures.
Diethyl ether is a popular element in surgery anaesthetic.
Ether is combined with gasoline as a motor fuel.
Oils, gums, resins, and other related compounds commonly use diethyl ether as a solvent.
Because of its high boiling point, phenyl ether can be utilised as a heat transfer medium.

Ether’s Medical uses

Ethers have been widely employed in numerous disciplines for the treatment of various ailments since the beginning of medicine. Some of the things they’re used for in medicine are:

1. Anaesthetic: They are commonly used in surgeries as anaesthesia. Because ethers are volatile liquids, they release vapours that patients inhale or take via injection. They cause individuals to lose consciousness before to surgery. Diethyl ether, for example, is employed as a powerful anaesthetic, and its effects are aided by analgesic medications and muscular relaxation.

2. Antiseptic: Ethers have also been utilised as antiseptics. During World War II, ether was utilised to sanitise patients’ wounds and spare them from hazardous infections. Antiseptics are being utilised today.

3. Recreational Drugs: Ethyl ethers, such as diethyl ethers, are utilised as recreational drugs because of their intoxicating and anaesthetic effects. This means they cause drug addicts to go asleep and have the desired effects, and they can be used in recreational activities because they are safe when taken in therapeutic levels.

Ether’s Uses as a Perfuming and Flavoring Agent

Ethers are extensively used in the perfumery and aroma industry due to their olfactory and organoleptic properties. They’re found in fruit-based foods and beverages, as well as sweets, fruit jams, yoghurts, ice cream, chewing gum, and various pharmacological treatments. Think about the following scenarios:

1. Some of the novel ether compounds, such as diethyl ether, are particularly useful in the creation of perfumes or fragrant items, such as soaps, detergents, and everyday home materials like essential oils, medicines, and so on.

2. 1-methoxy-3-hexanediol gives grapefruit flavour to beverages, giving them a fruity-green, exotic flavour.

3. Some others are also used to impart salty odours, notably meat-like aromas, to food such soups and broths, seasonings, snacks, sauces, or ready-to-eat non-vegetarian meals.

4. In the essential oil of anise seeds, methoxy benzene (anisole) is widely employed as a component to provide fragrance.

Ether’s Other uses in Our Everyday Lives

1. In our daily lives, we use ethers as cleaning agents. Glycol ether, for example, is used to clean windows, carpets, and floors, among other things.
2. Ethers are utilised as insecticides, miticides, and fumigants for soil microorganisms since they are very volatile chemicals.
Cosmetics contain dimethyl ethers.
3. The air cooling system for space ground-based infrastructure uses dimethyl ethers (DME) as a refrigerant with carbon dioxide.
4. Aerosol spray propellant is another key application for ethers. Due to their renewable nature, dimethyl ethers are currently used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines.

Also read: JEE Advanced Sample Papers

FAQs

What may Ethereum be used for?

On Ethereum, there are various cryptocurrencies and tokens, yet there are some things that only ETH can do. Ethereum's lifeblood is the cryptocurrency ETH. You'll pay a tiny fee in ETH to use the Ethereum network when you send ETH or use an Ethereum application. This fee is a way for a miner to be rewarded for processing and verifying what you're trying to do.

What is the purpose of ether in automobiles?

Because ether is volatile and combustible, it is used to aid start a diesel or petrol engine in extremely cold conditions. It's also utilised to keep things cool. When an injection is given, it is utilised as an antiseptic to prevent infection.

What happened to the Ethereum (ether) cryptocurrency?

The price of one Ethereum token (Ether) was $0.43 at the time of its introduction in July 2015. In the years thereafter, the price of Ethereum has risen to a peak of $1,422.47 in January 2018, before plummeting by nearly 80% nine months later.