Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols

Naming Ethers

Organic Chemistry

12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols

Naming Ethers

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4:24 minutes

Problem 22b

Textbook Question

(b) Do all of these ethers have common names?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of common names for ethers. Ethers are named using the common naming system by identifying the alkyl or aryl groups attached to the oxygen atom and listing them alphabetically, followed by the word 'ether'. For example, CH3-O-CH3 is called 'dimethyl ether'.

Step 2: Analyze the structure of the ethers in question. Determine whether the groups attached to the oxygen atom are simple alkyl or aryl groups, as these are typically used in common naming.

Step 3: Check if the ethers have substituents or complex groups. If the groups attached to the oxygen atom are complex or involve branching, the common naming system may not apply, and the IUPAC naming system might be required.

Step 4: Compare the ethers to examples of commonly named ethers. For instance, diethyl ether (CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3) has a common name, but ethers with more complex structures may not have widely recognized common names.

Step 5: Conclude whether all the ethers in the problem can be named using the common naming system based on their structural simplicity and adherence to the rules of common naming.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ethers

Ethers are a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. They have the general formula R-O-R', where R and R' represent hydrocarbon chains. Ethers are known for their relatively low reactivity and are commonly used as solvents in organic reactions.

Common Names vs. IUPAC Names

Common names are informal names used in everyday chemistry that often reflect the structure or origin of the compound, while IUPAC names are systematic names derived from established nomenclature rules. Ethers can have both common names, which are often simpler and more intuitive, and IUPAC names, which provide a precise description of their structure.

Nomenclature of Ethers

The nomenclature of ethers can vary based on the structure of the molecule. Commonly, ethers are named by identifying the two alkyl groups attached to the oxygen and adding the word 'ether.' For example, ethyl methyl ether is derived from the ethyl and methyl groups. Understanding this naming convention is essential for determining whether a specific ether has a common name.

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