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Question

Is an ether soluble in water?


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Solution

  1. Ether ROR' is an organic compound in which an Oxygen O atom is bonded with two alkyl groupsR,R' where Rand R'can be same or different alkyl groups. When R and R' is same then it is known as symmetrical ether. When R and R'are different then the ether is known as unsymmetrical ether.
  2. The length of this alkyl group determines the solubility of an ether in water. The big alkyl chain makes an ether insoluble in water.
  3. A compound is soluble in water when it has the ability to form hydrogen bonding with water. Oxygen atom in an ether can form hydrogen bonds with water making the ether of a relatively small alkyl chain soluble in it. As the length of the alkyl chain increases it makes the hydrogen bonding formation difficult and hence bigger alkyl chains are not soluble in water.
  4. Generally, an ether having alkyl group with 2-3 carbon atoms is soluble in water. A chain of 4 alkyl groups and above makes an ether insoluble in water.
  5. For example- Ethyl methyl ether CH3-O-CH2-CH3 is soluble in water and Dibutyl ether CH3CH2CH2CH22O is not soluble in water.

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