1. 13.2 Ethers
An ether consists of an oxygen atom that is attached by single bonds to two carbon groups that are alkyl or aromatic groups.
Forane (isoflurane) is
an inhaled anesthetic.
Learning Goal Give the IUPAC and common names for ethers; draw their condensed and line-angle structural formulas.

2. Ethers
An ether
contains an — O — between two carbon groups that are alkyls or aromatic rings.
has a common name that gives the alkyl names of the attached groups, followed by ether.

3. Naming Ethers
Most ethers have common names. The names of each alkyl or aromatic group attached to the oxygen atom are written in alphabetical order.
In the IUPAC system, an ether is named with an alkoxy group made up of the smaller alkyl group and the oxygen atom, followed by the alkane name of the longer carbon chain.
In this text, we will mostly use the common names of ethers.

4. Guide to Writing IUPAC Names for Ethers

5. Study Check Give the IUPAC name for the following:
CH3—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH3

6. Solution Give the IUPAC name for the following:
CH3—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH3
STEP 1 Write the alkane name of the longer carbon chain.
CH3—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH3 butane
Longer carbon chain
ANALYZE Given Need
THE ether IUPAC name
PROBLEM

7. Solution Give the IUPAC name for the following:
CH3—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH3
STEP 2 Write the alkane name of the longer carbon chain.
CH3—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH ethoxybutane
Ethoxy group
STEP 3 Number the longer carbon chain from the end nearer the alkoxy group and give its location.
CH3—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH ethoxybutane

8. Chemistry Link to Health: Ethers as Anesthetics
Anesthesia is the loss of sensation and consciousness. A general anesthetic is a substance that
blocks signals to the awareness centers in the brain.
gives the patient a loss of memory, a loss of feeling pain, and an artificial sleep.
Forane (isoflurane) is an inhaled anesthetic.

9. Chemistry Link to Health: Ethers as Anesthetics
Ether was used in anesthetics for hundreds of years until the 1950s, when new anesthetics were developed that
retain the ether group.
replace hydrogen atoms on the carbon with halogen atoms to reduce the volatility and flammability of the ethers.