Ether Definition in Chemistry

An ether is an organic compound that contains two alkyl or aryl groups by an oxygen atom. The general formula for an ether is R-O-R. The compound diethyl ether is commonly known as ether. Ether Examples Examples of compound which are ethers include: Pentabromodiphenyl etherDiisopropyl etherPolyethylene glycol (PEG)AnisoleDioxaneEthylene oxide Properties Because ether molecules are unable to form hydrogen bonds with each other, they have relatively low boiling points.Ethers are slightly polar because the C-O-C bond angle is around 110Â ° and the C–O dipoles do not cancel each other out.Ethers are highly volatile.The compounds are flammable.Simple ethers have no flavor.Ethers act as excellent organic solvents.Lower ethers act as anesthetics. Source IUPAC (1997). Compendium of Chemical Terminology (2nd ed.) (the Gold Book). doi:10.1351/goldbook.E02221