Question

Name each ether. \begin{equation}\begin{array}{l}{\text { a. } \mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{3}} \\\ {\text { b. } \mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{3}} \\\ {\text { c. } \mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{3}} \\\ {\text { d. } \mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{3}}\end{array}\end{equation}

Short answer

The names of the ethers are: a. Propyl ethyl ether, b. Pentyl ethyl ether, c. Propyl propyl ether (or di-n-propyl ether), d. Butyl ethyl ether.

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Longest Carbon Chain

Find the longest continuous carbon chain connected to the oxygen atom, as this will form part of the ether's name.

- Name the Corresponding Alkane

Convert the name of the longest carbon chain into its corresponding alkane name (e.g., methane, ethane, propane, etc.).

- Identify the Alkyl Group

Identify the alkyl group connected to the oxygen atom that is not part of the longest carbon chain.

- Combine the Names

Combine the names of the alkyl group and the alkane into the ether name, placing the alkyl group name first followed by the alkane name, with an 'oxy' prefix.

Key concepts

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry is a branch of chemistry that focuses on the study of carbon-containing compounds, their structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis. Carbon atoms can form stable bonds with other elements as well as with other carbon atoms, leading to a vast array of possible organic compounds. Ethers, the functional group in our exercise, are a prime example of such organic compounds.

Ethers consist of an oxygen atom connected on either side to carbon-containing groups which can be alkyl or aryl in nature. They're traditionally known for their importance in solvents and anesthetics, among other applications, and are recognized for their distinctive ether linkage—a single oxygen atom between two carbon atoms. Understanding the nature of ethers and their naming conventions is vital for students delving into organic chemistry.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. They are the reactive parts of molecules and often dictate the molecule's properties and behaviors in chemical reactions.

In the case of ethers, the functional group involves an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. This function group is a relatively non-reactive part of a molecule compared to other functional groups like alcohols or carboxylic acids. It is important for students to identify functional groups as they often provide a clue to the reactivity of a molecule and a handle for nomenclature which allows chemists to converse methodically about compound structures.

IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a standardized system of naming chemical compounds as recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). It provides a unique and methodical way of naming compounds to ensure that every compound has a distinct name.

For ethers, the IUPAC nomenclature system involves identifying the longest carbon chain and the short alkyl groups bonded to the oxygen atom. The naming starts with the alkyl groups in alphabetical order, followed by the name of the longer alkane chain with an 'oxy' prefix to indicate the presence of an oxygen atom. For example, 'methoxyethane' is an ether where a 'methoxy' group is attached to 'ethane'. This systematic approach demystifies compound names, making it easier for students to understand chemical structures and communication.

Alkane Chain

An alkane chain is made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms with single bonds between carbon atoms and is saturated, meaning it has the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible. Alkanes are the simplest kind of organic compounds and serve as a fundamental structure for more complex molecules.

In naming ethers according to IUPAC rules, the alkane chain plays a crucial role. It's represented by the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms connected to the oxygen atom of the ether. The name of this alkane then becomes part of the ether's name, often serving as the second part of the name, following the prefix from the shorter alkyl group attached to the oxygen.

Alkyl Group

An alkyl group is essentially an alkane from which one hydrogen atom has been removed, allowing it to form a bond with another atom or group of atoms—like the oxygen in an ether. Alkyl groups are the side chains that hang off the longer alkane chains and can greatly influence the properties of the molecule.

Identification of the alkyl group(s) attached to the oxygen in ethers is a critical step in naming these compounds. In our textbook example, the alkyl groups specified in steps 3 and 4 are what you'd name first when naming the ether, before the name of the alkane chain. For instance, if the alkyl group is a methyl group (one carbon atom), and it is attached to an ethane chain (two carbon atoms), the ether would be named 'methyl ethyl ether'.