Question

Is ether still used as an anesthetic?

Answer 1

Due to its low cost and relatively high therapeutic index, Ether is still used as an anaesthetic in some developing countries.

1. Cardiac and respiratory depression is also very less in this. However, due to the explosive flammability of ether, its use as an anaesthetic has been phased out in most developed countries.

Ether: An ether group, in which an oxygen atom is joined by two alkyl or aryl groups, is the main component of the class of organic compounds known as ethers, From the Latin word "ether", meaning "to burn", comes the English word "ether". Typically, ethers are combustible at ambient temperature and under high pressure, The specific formula for ether is $\mathrm{R}–\mathrm{O}–\mathrm{R},\mathrm{R}–\mathrm{O}–\mathrm{R}’,\mathrm{R}–\mathrm{O}–\mathrm{Ar},\mathrm{or}\mathrm{Ar}–\mathrm{O}–\mathrm{Ar},$ $\mathrm{R}$ denotes an aryl group and Ar denotes an alkyl group.

Hence, Ether is still used as an anaesthetic.