Naming Ethers
Definition of Ethers:
Ethers are organic chemical compounds whose structure has the general form:
where the symbols "R1" and "R2" represent organic radicals, usually carbon chains. |
[Symbols such "R","R' ", "R1", "R2", "R1" and "R2" and similar are often used to represent organic radicals in general, which are frequently (linear or branched) carbon chains that may or may not have addtional functional groups attached, or can alternatively be hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms, e.g. flourine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br).] |
In the cases of simple (symmetrical) ethers, R1 = R2.
R1 and R2 are different in the cases of mixed (unsymmetrical) ethers.
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Names of Ethers in General
Ethers are named according to the standard system of naming organic compunds. As is also true for other types of organic compounds/molecules, there are also some non-standard names for ethers in common usage. Some of the alternative names used for the simple ethers shown in the tables of examples on this page are listed in the column under the header "synonyms".
A standard system for naming ethers follows the system alkoxy- as in the following example:
This shows that ethers consist of two parts (often carbon chains), labelled as
"R1" and "R2" at the top of this page.
When working-out the name of an ether given its molecular structure the first steps are:
- Recognise that the molecule is an ether because it has the general form:
- Identify the parts labelled
"R1" and "R2".
To do this
recall the standard system of labelling carbon chains as used for alkanes.
Note that
"R1" and "R2" may be linear charbon chains (which are simpler to name) or they may be branched, or may even have other functional groups (e.g. halogens, see haloalkanes) attached as well.
- According to the standard system for naming ethers, the shorter of the two chains "R1" and "R2" becomes the first part of the name with the "-ane" suffix that applies to the corresponding alkane changed to -oxy, and the name of the longer alkane chain forming the suffix of the name of the ether.
Hence, CH3OCH2CH3 is methoxyethane (not ethoxymethane).
However, as can be seen from the lists of synoyms in the extreme right column of the following tables, organic molecules are not always known only by their correct/standard names. An understanding of the general system for naming ethers described here is useful to enable recognition of e.g. "ethoxymethane" as having the molecular structure of methoxyethane, even if the compound/molecule has not been referred to using the name expected according to this standard system.
Also ...
Note that the system "alkoxy- alkane" is not the only method used for naming ethers.
Another system for naming ethers works by citing the names of the groups R1 and R2 in alphabetical order, followed by the class name "ether". So, for example "methoxy ethane" = "ethyl methyl ether"
In general, the larger and more complicated the organic compound, the more different naming systems there are and the more variations one should expect. |
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This page includes diagrams of the molecular structures of simple examples ethers. Familiarity with naming ethers and, conversely, with drawing the molecular structures of ethers given their names, comes with experience.
It is helpful to begin by viewing a series of simple examples in order to recognise patterns in the process of naming ethers that can then be applied to similar and more complex cases.
Some of the simplest linear ethers are named and their structures drawn in the following tables:
Names and Structures of simple Linear Ethers
in which R1 = CH3, which is known as a "-methyl group"
The homologous series of linear ethers that include a -methyl group attached (via a single covalent bond) to the oxygen atom in the middle of the ether molecule. This is easier to understand in conjunction with viewing the molecular structures in the table:
Number carbons in R2 chain |
Name |
Simple Structure |
Other Names = Synonyns
(*Examples not complete lists, includes non-standard names) |
and simple formula |
showing bond types but not accurate bond angles |
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1 |
methoxy methane
(C2H6O)
|
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- methoxymethane
- methyl ether
- dimethyl ether
- dimethylether
- methyl oxide
- dimethyl oxide
- wood ether
- oxybismethane
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2 |
methoxy ethane
(C3H8O) |
 |
- methoxyethane
- 1-methoxyethane
- ethyl methyl ether
- methyl ethyl ether
- methoxyethan
- aethylmethylaether
- methylaethylaether
- methoxyethyl
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3 |
methoxy propane
(C4H10O) |
 |
- 1-methoxypropane
- methyl propyl ether
- methyl n-propyl ether
- metopryl
- neothyl
- alpha-methoxy propane
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4 |
methoxy butane
(C5H12O) |
 |
- 1-methoxybutane
- butyl methyl ether
- n-butyl methyl ether
- alpha-methoxybutane
- methyl butyl ether
- methyl n-butyl ether
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5 |
methoxy pentane
(C6H14O) |
 |
- 1-methoxypentane
- methyl pentyl ether
- amyl methyl ether
- methyl amyl ether
- pentyl methyl ether
- n-amyl methyl ether
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Names and Structures of simple Linear Ethers
in which R1 = CH2CH3, which is known as an "-ethyl group"
The homologous series of linear ethers that include an -ethyl group attached (via a single covalent bond) to the oxygen atom in the middle of the ether molecule. This is easier to understand in conjunction with viewing the molecular structures in the table:
Number carbons in R2 chain |
Name |
Simple Structure |
Other Names = Synonyns
(*Examples not complete lists, includes non-standard names) |
and simple formula |
showing bond types but not accurate bond angles |
|
2 |
ethoxy ethane
(C4H10O) |
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- ethoxyethane
- ether
- ethyl ether
- ethyl ethyl ether
- diethyl ether
- diethylether
- diethylaether
- anhydrous ether
- aether
- pronarcol
- diethyl oxide
- anesthetic ether
- anaesthetic ether
- anesthesia ether
- ethyl oxide
- 1,1'-oxydiethane
- 3-Oxapentane
- anhydrous ether
- alkyl alcohol ethoxylate
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3 |
ethoxy propane
(C5H12O) |
 |
- 1-ethoxypropane
- ethyl propyl ether
- ethyl n-propyl ether
- propyl ethyl ether
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4 |
ethoxy butane
(C6H14O) |
 |
- 1-ethoxybutane
- butyl ethyl ether
- ethyl butyl ether
- n-Butyl ethyl ether
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5 |
ethoxy pentane
(C7H16O) |
 |
- 1-ethoxypentane
- ethyl pentyl ether
- amyl ethyl ether
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Names and Structures of simple Linear Ethers
in which R1 = CH2CH2CH3, which is known as an "-propyl group"
The homologous series of linear ethers that include a -propyl group attached (via a single covalent bond) to the oxygen atom in the middle of the ether molecule. This is easier to understand in conjunction with viewing the molecular structures in the table:
Number carbons in R2 chain |
Name |
Simple Structure |
Other Names = Synonyns
(*Examples not complete lists, includes non-standard names) |
and simple formula |
showing bond types but not accurate bond angles |
|
3 |
propoxy propane
(C6H14O) |
 |
- 1-propoxypropane
- propyl ether
- dipropylether
- dipropyl ether
- di-n-propyl ether
- dipropyl oxide
- n-propyl ether
- 4-Oxaheptane
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4 |
propoxy butane
(C7H16O) |
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- 1-propoxybutane
- 1-propoxy butane
- butyl propyl ether
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5 |
propoxy pentane
(C8H18O) |
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- 1-propoxypentane
- 1-propoxy pentane
- pentyl propyl eher
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Why stop at five carbon atoms (in the chain) ? It doesn't. There are more similar linear ethers. We stopped here due to page width. |
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Important Note: *The synonyms indicated for compounds listed above are just examples of alternative names found online and believed to have been used to refer to the substance indicated. They have not all been verified and may include common (non-scientific) names, trade names specific to particular suppliers, and perhaps errors. The purpose of these lists is to give a general indication of the range of names by which esters are known - both generally, and specifically. |
Note:
This is one of many pages about types of organic compounds in our Organic Chemistry Section. Similar and related pages describe hydrocarbons, alkanes, haloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons (arenes), alcohols, esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, azo dyes, amines, amides, nitriles, amino acids (chemistry), peptides, proteins (chemistry), polypeptides and others. If you need further information ask your chemistry tutor.
According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommendations for nomenclature of organic chemistry, compounds of the general form R1-O-R2 may be called ethers, see more about naming ethers at http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/93/r93_430.htm.
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