Ether
A compound in which an oxygen atom is bonded to two carbon atoms.
Formula / equation
R–O–R′
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Ethers have no O–H bond, so they cannot hydrogen bond to each other and boil at temperatures similar to comparable alkanes. They are chemically inert towards bases, oxidants and reductants, which makes them excellent solvents — though they form explosive peroxides on standing in air.
Examples in the real world
Diethyl ether as an early anaesthetic; tetrahydrofuran as a solvent for Grignard reactions.