how would ether be prepared from toluene?

Answer 1

I don't think toluene would be a normal ingredient in the synthesis of ether.

There are actually many compounds that fall into the class "ether" but we normally mean di-ethyl ether when we say just ether.

Toluene is an aromatic (ring compound) with 7 carbon atoms

di-ethyl ether is an oxygen containing "short" molecule with 4 carbon atoms

the wikipedia has a good article on "ethers" that includes some info on synthesis (making them out of something else):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ether

I would think that if you were starting with toluene you would be trying to make Dioxane or Anisole which are both more complex ethers than the popular anesthetic variety.

Answer 2

It can be done by removing the phenyl group, performing a radical reaction, and then maybe using a grignard reagent. If you need specifics send me a message, toluene isn't a good starting agent to make ether, but if this is an organic chemistry problem, I can help