Naming Ethers

Definition of Ethers:

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:

1. Recognise that the molecule is an ether because it has the general form:
   
   
2. 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 might be linear carbon chains (which are simpler to name) or they might be branched, or might even have other functional groups, e.g. halogens, see haloalkanes, attached as well.
3. 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 ...

Simple diagrams of the molecular structures of ethers are shown below. Ease of naming ethers and drawing the molecular structures of ethers comes with experience. It helps to consider a series of simple examples in order to recognise patterns in the naming of ethers that can then be applied to similar as well as larger and more complicated examples.

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:

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:

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:

Why stop at five carbon atoms (in the chain) ? It doesn't. There are more linear ethers. We stopped here due to page width.

* The synonyms indicated for compounds listed above are just some 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 and trade names specific to particular suppliers. The purpose of these lists is to give a general indication of the range of names by which these linear ethers are, or have been, known.

See also the related page about functional groups in organic molecules.

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.