Ethers

Question 1

How are ethers named?

Answer 1

Ethers are named as substituted alkanes. The alkoxy group is named by adding the ending ‘oxy’ to the alkyl substituent, and this prefixes the name of the longest carbon chain.

Question 1

How are ethers defined in terms of chemical structure?

Answer 1

Ethers can be regarded as substituted alkanes where a hydrogen atom is replaced with an alkoxy functional group, denoted as –OR, having the general structure R’ – O – R’’, where R’ and R’’ are alkyl groups.

Question 2

What is one method for preparing ethers?

Answer 2

Ethers can be prepared in a nucleophilic substitution reaction by reacting a monohaloalkane with an alkoxide.

Question 3

Why do ethers have lower boiling points than corresponding isomeric alcohols?

Answer 3

Ethers have lower boiling points than corresponding isomeric alcohols due to the lack of hydrogen bonding between ether molecules.

Question 4

Why are larger ethers insoluble in water?

Answer 4

Larger ethers are insoluble in water due to their increased molecular size.

Question 5

What makes ethers commonly used as solvents?

Answer 5

Ethers are commonly used as solvents because they are relatively inert chemically and will dissolve many organic compounds.