Ether is basically a very general term that is sued for a group of chemical compounds. These compounds are the one that comprise of an ether group, namely, an oxygen atom associated to two (substituted) alkyl groups. One of the very well known examples is the solvent and anaesthetic diethyl ether. It is also commonly known as the "ether", (ethoxyethane, CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3).
Ethers are more hydrophobic than esters or amides of equivalent arrangement. Ether molecules do not shape into hydrogen bonds between each other, which in turn results in a comparatively low boiling point analogous to that of the equivalent alcohols. They also act as a Lewis bases. It also synchronizes to magnesium in Grignard reagents (RMgBr).
Ethers are more hydrophobic than esters or amides of equivalent arrangement. Ether molecules do not shape into hydrogen bonds between each other, which in turn results in a comparatively low boiling point analogous to that of the equivalent alcohols. They also act as a Lewis bases. It also synchronizes to magnesium in Grignard reagents (RMgBr).
