Ethers

Question 1

What is the general formula for ethers?

Answer 1

R-O-R’ where R and R’ are alkyl groups

Question 2

How do you name ethers?

Answer 2

Ethers are named as alkoxy alkanes.

the longest alkyl groups is used to name the parent alkane and the remaining part is the alkoxy group

Question 3

How are ethers prepared?

Answer 3

By reacting a monohalgenalkane with a metal alkoxide. This reaction is called a nucleophilic sustitution

Question 4

Describe the polarity of ethers and what effect this has.

Answer 4

Ethers are slightly polar but sufficiently non-polar to make them resistent to attack from nucleophiles and electrophiles

Question 5

Describe the flammability of ethers.

Answer 5

Ethers are flammable. On contact with air they can form peroxides (R-O-O-R’) which are unstable and sometimes explosive.

Question 6

What ethers polar enough to form?

Answer 6

hydrogen bonds

Question 7

What are small ethers said to be?

Answer 7

relatively soluble, especially the same cyclic ethers Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

Question 8

What are ethers often used in?

Answer 8

solvent extraction or separation as the non-polar solvent either using a separating funnel or evaporation (they are very volatile)

Question 9

What are ethers said to be?

Answer 9

chemically relatively inert

Question 10

What was ethoxyethane used as?

Answer 10

an anaesthetic but safer alternatives are now used.