Question

Is diethyl ether acidic or basic?

Answer 1

1. The chemical formula of diethyl ether is ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{5}}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{O}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{5}}$.
2. Diethyl ether is basic in nature.
3. As oxygen of diethyl ether have two loan pair of electrons so it can easily donate it to other electron-deficient atom or species.
4. Doner ability of oxygen makes diethyl ether basic.
5. Diethyl ether is Lewis base.
6. Definition of Lewis base- A compound or ion which donates its pair of electrons to another compound said to be Lewis base.
7. Example of Lewis base- Ammonia(${\mathbf{NH}}_{\mathbf{3}}$), Water(${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{O}$) etc.

Hence, Diethyl ether is basic in nature.