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ether
- A family of organic compounds with the general formula R–O–R', where R and R' are hydrocarbon radicals. Examples are dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3) and diethyl ether (C2H5OC2H5), the latter being known simply as "ether" (see below).
Ethers are volatile, highly flammable substances made by catalytic dehydration of alcohols, catalytic hydration of alkenes, or by reacting an alkyl halide with a sodium alkoxide. They are chemically fairly inert, though they are split by hydrogen halides, and form explosive peroxides on standing in air. See also thioether. - A volatile, highly flammable liquid, (C2H5)2O, partially miscible with water. It is derived from distillation of ethanol with sulfuric acid, and widely used in industry (as a solvent) and as an anesthetic. Also known as diethyl ether, ethyl ether, and ethoxyethane. Melting point -116°C, boiling point 35°C.
- An all-pervading, infinitely elastic, massless medium formerly postulated as the medium of propagation of electromagnetic waves.
Related category
• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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