What is the difference between an ester and an ether?

Answer 1

ester: R-O-OR
ether: R-O-R

where R = alkyl group

Answer 2

With an ether, all bonds of the link are single bonds. RCH2-O-R. With an ester, one of the carbons adjacent to the oxygen is substituted with an oxygen, double bonded to the R. In shorthand, RCO2R

Answer 3

Esters for example CH3COOCH2CH3 are the products of a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol:

CH3COOH + CH3CH2OH <=> CH3COOCH2CH3 + H2O

Ethers, for example CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3, are the products of dehydration of alcohols:

2CH3CH2OH --> CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3 + H2O (140 oC)

Answer 4

Lancenigo di Villorba (TV), Italy

ABOUT ESTERS

1) Generalities on Esters
Molecular structures may be the followings :
R1-C=O
.......|
......O-R2
where R1 and R2 are organic substituents (e.g. aliphatic chains or aromatic rings).
Esters appear as uncoloured liquids and they belong to so-called "light organic compounds" because they have relatively low boiling points. An organoleptic essay show you that they are usually parfumed compounds. In effects, many natural extracts containt volatile esters (e.g. fruit essences).
Esters show a low solubility in water and other protic solvents (e.g. ethanol). In effect, you must try if common few polar stuffs (e.g. acetone) or apolar ones (e.g. carbon disulphide, benzene) result the better solvent for ester in manipulation.

2) Chemical behaviour of Esters
Esters are usually obtained by reaction between alcohols and organic acids. These reactions belong to class called "Acylic Nucleophilic Substitution", in other terms as alcohol's acylations.
You understand that acid anhydrides and acyl chlorides show a greater acylating power than organic acid themselves, so in some difficult cases you must use anhydrides or acyl halides.
As I overwritten, general practice is built an acidic mixture by mixing alcohols and organic acids : continuous warming and stirring operations are led in distillation's plant in a feature which permits water's "down-away" toward exits to the tower.
Thus, you understood that acidic media permit esters formation by means of alcohol+acid's condensation.
On the contrary, esters undergo "hydrolysis" in strong acidic or basic aqueous media, e.g. by means of warming.
Moreover, strong ammonia's solutions can convert esters in another compound's class, e.g. amides.

ABOUT ETHERS

1) Generalities on Ethers
Molecular structures may be the followings :
R1-O-R2
where R1 and R2 are organic substituents (e.g. aliphatic chains or aromatic rings).
Ethers may appear as uncoloured liquids and they belong to so-called "lightest organic compounds" because they have VERY low boiling points. The latter properties determine vapour's state of inferior ether (e.g. di-methyl ether is a vapour, it is not a liquid).
Ethers are dangerous compounds owing their flammability.
You must close correctly the vessel stocking ethers, since their vapours must not evolve freely to avoid any danger of explosion.
Furthermore, you must avoid prolonged cntact between air and liquid ethers : air's oxygen can combine with liquid ether and form small amount of VERY UNSTABLE alkyl peroxides.
Ethers show VERY LOW solubilities in water and other protic solvents (e.g. ethanol). In effect, you must use common apolar solvents (e.g. carbon disulphide, benzene) which result the better solvent for ether in manipulation.

2) Chemical behaviour of Ethers
Ethers are usually obtained by reaction between alcohols/phenols and alkyl halides. These reactions belong to class called "Aliphatic Nucleophilic Substitution".
You understand that alcohols/phenols themselves show a nihil nucleophilic power toward alkyl halides...How do you do this reactions? An english chemist (sir A. W. Williamson, XIX century)appointed a systemic feature, so you can synthetize many ethers included asymmetrical ones.
In alkaline aqueous media you put alcohols/phenols and alkyl halides ; by means of gently warming, you obtain ethers. In these conditions, alcohols/phenols become good nucleophilic agents and the process take place.
You note I wrote a DOUBLE NOTATION AS ALCOHOLS/PHENOLS : both the cases belong to Williamson's reactions ; you CANNOT USE aryl halides because they react not. Besides ethers, you can obtain also alkenes (e.g. the greater temperature, the greater alkene's formation).
Least known is the SULPHURIC FEATURE, that is mix alcohols in a COLD AND CONCENTRATED sulphuric acid bath. You obtain ethers strictly having symmetrical molecular structures...this is a dangerous method. Besides ethers, you can obtain also alkenes (e.g. the greater temperature, the greater alkene's formation).
Ethers show a VERY LOW REACTIVITY. I know only "hydrolysis" 's phenomena. You must put ethers in strong acidic aqueous media, e.g. by means of high warming.

I hope this helps you.

Answer 5

It takes nine seconds for YAnswers questions to open for me to be able to click on [add your answer] box. is my computer slow?

Answer 6

Lots of great answers already for this

Answer 7

need more information before I can give an answer