Question

Are ethers soluble in water?

Answer 1

Ethers are the organic compounds that consist of ether groups. Ether group is defined as the oxygen atom attached to two alkyl or aryl groups. The general formula for ether is $R-O-{{R}^{'}}$, where $R$ and ${{R}^{'}}$ is the alkyl or aryl groups. Ethers are of two types: symmetrical ether and unsymmetrical ether.

Complete step-by-step answer: Symmetrical ether is defined as a compound that contains the same alkyl groups or aryl groups on both sides of the oxygen atom. For example- $C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}-O-C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{3}}$
Unsymmetrical ether is defined as a compound that contains different alkyl groups and alkyl groups on both sides of the oxygen atom. For example- $C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}-O-C{{H}_{3}}$
Let us see some examples of ethers-
$C{{H}_{3}}-O-C{{H}_{3}}$ ( dimethyl ether)
${{\left( C{{H}_{3}} \right)}_{2}}CH-O-CH{{\left( C{{H}_{3}} \right)}_{2}}$ (Diisopropyl ether)
${{C}_{6}}{{H}_{5}}-O-{{C}_{6}}{{H}_{5}}$ (Diphenyl ether)
Physical properties of ethers-
Dipole moment: the dipole moment is very small because the carbon-oxygen bond does not cancel each other. The bond angle between $C-O-C$ is ${{180}^{{}^\circ }}$ .
Boiling point: ether are less polar than esters, amines and alcohol because of the bulky alkyl groups present on both sides of the oxygen, the oxygen atom does not participate in hydrogen bonding. Ethers are more polar than alkenes.
Hybridisation: In ether, the hybridisation of oxygen is $s{{p}^{3}}$ .
The solubility of a compound in water depends upon the extent to which a given hydrocarbon can form hydrogen bonds with water. Ether that contains three carbon atoms is soluble in water because these hydrocarbon atoms form hydrogen bonding with water but the solubility of the compound decreases as we increase the number of carbon atoms. This is because higher ethers have more hydrophobic parts, therefore they cannot form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

Note: It is to note that ethers are soluble in organic solvents such as alcohol, acetone and benzene. Dimethyl ether and ethyl methyl ether are gases at room temperature. Ethers can be prepared from dehydration of alcohols, Williamson ether synthesis.