The compounds that have the R – O – R group are know as
ethers. The two R groups linked to oxygen can be different or
the same and they also can be aliphatic or aromatics.
The compound more well know of this family is the ethyl ether,
that is frequently called ether.
CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3
Ethers are not very reactive. This is the reason for why they
are not used as reactant but more as dissolvent in the
reactions.
In the IUPAC, ethers are considered hydrocarbons with ROsubstitutes, that are called alkoxy groups.
ethers are named using the general formula "alkoxyalkane"
for example CH3-CH2-O-CH3 is methoxyethane
In the common system the name is given to both R groups in
two separate words followed by the word ether and then the
name of the two groups in one word with the ending “hyl”. “For
example:
CH3CH2-O-CH3
IUPAC: Methoxyethane
Common Name methyl ethyl ether
CH3CH2CH2CH2-O-CH2CH3
IUPAC: Ethoxybutane
Common: Ether ethylbutyl or Butyl Ethyl Ether
CH3-O-CH3
IUPAC: Methoxymethane
Common: Ether methyl or Dimethyl ether
Ethers are substances with nice scent, lighter then water and with
low boiling point due to no hydrogen bridges can be formed within
its molecules.
The majority of ethers are not very soluble in water, its oxygen can
form hydrogen bridges with some water molecules. They are solvent
in non polar solvents. Ether is a very good dissolvent in the majority
of organic compounds of intermediate polarity. Methyl ether is a
gas, all other ethers are liquids at room temperature. The boiling
point of ethylic ether is 34 C.
Williamson’s Reaction
With this method both symmetric and asymmetric ethers can be
prepared. The reaction is made with a alkyl halide and an alcohol
salt called sodium alkoxide.
Reaction:
CH3I + CH3CH2CH2CH2-ONa 
methyl iodide
sodium butoxid
CH3-O-CH2CH2CH2CH3 + NaI
Methyl butyl ether (71 %)
Ethers are not very reactive. They do not react to alkyl metals, they
are resistant to the action of alkalis and they do not easily react to
oxidation agents nor reducers. The basic oxygen atom of an ether
reacts with acid compounds like HI, HBr, H2SO4, etc.
Example:
R – O – R´
+ 2HI 
RI
+ R´I + H2O
(the reaction requires a temperature of 120 C)
Local and general anesthetics mostly used are: ethyl ether and
dietyhl ether.
Eugenol is obtained from clove essence it is a soft local anesthetic
used mostly by dentists that presents a ether group in its structure.
In a large quantities of organic compounds that form part of the
tissue of living beings we can find ether bonds, for example
carbohydrates, hormones, vitamins, etc.