Classification and Nomenclature of Ethers Video Lecture | Chemistry for JEE Main & Advanced

Ethers are the organic compounds
having general molecular formula
CnH2n+2O
However the general structural formula is
R-O-R'
Where, R and R' are alkyl groups or aryl groups
or one may be alkyl and another will be the aryl group
depending upon the alkyl as well as the aryl group
or weather alkyl and the aryl groups same or different
we have classification of ethers
the first class of ether is
the simple or symmetrical ethers
in simple or symmetrical ethers both R groups are similar
it means that one can write that,
R = R'
let us write the example of the symmetrical ether
so we can write the example like this
H3C-O-CH3
here you can see that both these groups are same
that is CH3 groups are attached to the oxygen atom
the name of this compound is
dimethylether
Now let us write the another example
so we can write the example like
C6H5-O-C6H5
in this example you can see that
these two groups are same but not the alkyl group
these are the aryl groups
so the phenyl groups are attached or phenyl rings are attached to the oxygen atom
and the name of this compound is
diphenylether
it means that
both the groups like R and R' may be alkyl
or both R and R' may be aryl group
it means that similar groups are present then and then it is known as ,
simple or symmetrical ethers
we have the another type of the ether
the another type of ether is
mixed or unsymmetrical ethers
here in this particular type
R is not equal to R'
now let us take one example
we can take the example like this
so we have
H3C-O-C2H5
in this example if you see these groups
you will notice that this the is methyl group and this is ethyl group
it means that both are alkyl but these groups are not same
so such type of ethers are known as unsymmetrical ethers
Name of this compound is ethylmethylether
we can also take the another example
we can write the another example like
H5C2
it means that this ethyl group is attached to oxygen and C6H5
here you can see that this is the ethyl group this is phenyl group attached to the oxygen
the name of this compound is
ethylphenylether
you can notice that
in this mixed or unsymmetrical ether
these two groups are different
and these two groups may be alkyl or the aryl groups