Ester and Ether are functional classes that are used to classify organic chemical compounds. Esters are prepared via the process of esterification. The main difference between ether and ester lies in their structure. An ester group requires two oxygen atoms and two carbon atoms to complete its characteristic structure, while an ether group only needs one oxygen atom and two carbon atoms for its structure. The various other differences between ether and ester are given below in a tabular column.
Ester vs Ether
| Ester | Ether |
| Easily polarizable due to the presence of the carbonyl group | Doesn’t contain a carbonyl group |
| Derived from carboxylic acids | Derived from alcohol |
| Esters have the functional group –COO | Ethers have the functional group –O- |
| Esters do not have symmetrical structures due to the presence of the carbonyl group | Ethers can have a symmetrical structure if both alkyl groups on either side of the oxygen atom in an ether group are similar |
| A double bond between carbon and oxygen atom | A single bond between carbon and oxygen atom |
| Ethyl propanoate is one of the example of ester.
|
Dimethyl ether is one of the example of ether.
|
Recommended Videos
The listed above were a few differences between ester and ether. At BYJU’S, learn more differences like the difference between isotropic and anisotropic.
Comments