Uttam, a 12th grade student, completed a chemistry project on ethers under the guidance of his teacher Mr. Bineet Kumar Pathak. The project report discusses the topics of nomenclature, preparation, physical and chemical properties of ethers. It explains common and IUPAC systems of naming ethers and methods of preparation such as Williamson's synthesis and reaction of alkyl halides with dry silver oxide. The report also describes the physical properties of ethers such as low boiling points and ability to dissolve organic compounds. It discusses chemical reactivity including cleavage by acids like HI and HBr to form alcohols and alkyl halides.

1. JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA
BALLA RAEBARELI
Session 2023-24
Chemistry Project
Topic: Ethers
Submitted to: Mrs Bineet Pathak
Submitted by: Uttam
XII'Sci'

2. Certificate
▪ This is to certify that U T TAM student of class
X IIth (Sci) has successfully prepared the report
on the Project entitled "Ethers" under the guidance
of Mr.B.K PAT HAK(PGT Chemistry). The
report is the result of his efforts & endeavours.
The report is found worthy of acceptance as final
Project report for the subject Chemistry of class
X II th (sci.)
▪ Signature of Chemistry Teacher___
▪ Signature of External Examiner___
▪ Signature of Principal___.

3. Acknowledgement
▪ I would like to sincerely and profusely thank my
chemistry teacher Mr.BINEET KUMAR PATHAK
(PGTChemistry) and our lab attendant for their
able guidance and support in completing my
project
▪ I would also like to extend my gratitude to the
principal MR. CHANDAN BAGISH for providing me
with all the facility that was required.
▪ Uttam (12th'Sci)

4. Index
Introduction
Nomenclature
Preparation of Ethers
Physical properties of Ethers
Chemical reactivity of Ethers
Reaction of Ethers with HI and HBr

5. Ethers
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that mostly
contain an ether group wherein the oxygen atom is bonded
to two alkyl or aryl groups. The word Ether has been
derived from the Latin word ‘aether’ which means ‘to
ignite’.
Nomenclature
COMMON SYSTEM OF NAMING:
In common system of naming ethers (simple and mixed), ethers
are named by naming the two groups bonded to oxygen followed
by the word ether. For example:
CH,-O-CH, Dimethyl ether
CH-O-CH, Ethyl methyl ether
C₂H,-O-C₂H, Diethyl ether
CH-O-CH, Phenyl methyl ether

6. IUPAC System of Naming
In IUPAC system, large alkyl group is take as parent
molecule and given the last name (su ix) while the
smaller alky group along with oxygen is used as a prefix
and given the name ALKOXY (e.g methoxy, ethoxy,
propoxy etc)
CH3-O-CH, Methoxy methane
C₂H-O-CH3 Methoxy ethane
C₂H₂-O-C₂H, Ethoxy ethane
C6H5-O-CH3 Methoxy benzene
1. WILLIAMSON'S SYNTHESIS (CONVERSION
OF ALCOHOLS INTO ETHERS)
The reaction of primary alcohol with sodium gives an
alkoxide
2CH,CH₂OH+2Na→ 2CH,CH₂ONa+
Alkoxide when treated with RCI forms ether CH₂CH₂O
Na*+ CH3CH2CI→ CH3CH₂-O-CH₂CH₂+ NaCl
Preparation of ethers
2. REACTION OF ALKYL HALIDE WITH DRY
SILVER OXIDE
when alkyl halides are heated with dry silver oxide, ethers
are produced.
2C₂H Br+ Ag₂O C₂H-O-C2H5 + 2AgBr

7. 3. Dehydration of alcohols
Physical Properties of Ethers
1. Ethers are colorless, highly inflammable compounds of low
boiling points
2. Their chemical inactivity and their ability to dissolve
fats, oil, gums and many more other organic compound
make them very good solvent
3. Ethers are soluble in conc. sulfuric acid. This property is
used as a distinguishing test between ethers and saturated
hydrocarbons.
4. Lower ethers act as anesthetics
5. Ethers are lighter than water
Chemical reactivity of Ethers
1. The ethereal O atom is a region of high electron density due to lone pairs
Ether O atom are Lewis bases
2. Like an alcohol-OH group, the -OR group is a poor leaving group and
needs to be converted to a leaving group before substitution can occur.
3. The most important reaction of ether is cleavage by acids such as Hi and
HBr
4. Resistance to Oxidations:
5. Ethers are resistant to attack by the usual chemical oxidizing agent.
Reagents like NH,, Na, alkali and acids have no action on ethers

8. Reaction of Ether with HI and HBr
Reaction with HBr:
The O atom of ether possess an unshared electron pair which
accepts a proton from HBr to form Oxonium ion. No further
reaction takes place.
R2O + HBr → R2O+ —H+ Br
Reaction with HI:
The O atom of ether accepts a proton from HI to form oxonium ion,
which reacts with I to form R-OH and RI
R₂O+HI →R₂O+ —H^+ + I-
R₂O^+ -H^+ + I- →R-OH + RI

9. Bibliography
www.wikipedia.com
www.britanica.com
www.slideshare.com 😉
ncert book chemistry