on heating ether tends to explode. why? if this is so then can it be used for wide scale distrution?

Question

ether is a organic compond( formula r-co-r.)

Answer 1

Ethers tend to explode upon heating because they can contain trace peroxides. These peroxides initiate undesirable side reactions which can cause the mixture to explode when heated.

It can be used for wide scale distribution because industry adds inhibitors (such as BHT = butylated hydroxytoluene, also found in milk) which stop the peroxides from forming.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

pure ether will not explode on heating but what happen if ether been stored for long time a peroxides can form which is the main reason for ether explosion,, so we must use azotropic distillation of ether with another solvent to remove peroxides

Answer 3

it's flashpoint is well below its boiling point making it fairly volitile. care must be taken in shipping that it doesn't get too hot or put under 2 much pressure. it's a common solvent used for reactions although dangerous and also used for extractions.