Question

IUPAC name of \[{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{ - O - }}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{5}}}\] is-
A. Ethoxymethane
B. Methoxyethane
C. Methylethyl ether
D. Ethyl methyl ether

Answer 1

Hint: Ethers are defined as a group of organic compounds containing an oxygen atom. This oxygen atom is bonded to two same or two different alkyl or aryl groups. In naming ethers, the name of the smaller alkyl group is named first and the larger group is named second.

Complete step by step answer:
The general formula for ethers is \[{\text{R - O - R}}\], where \[{\text{R}}\] is an alkyl group.
Ethers can be classified into two based on the substituent groups attached on either side of the oxygen atom.
A. Symmetrical ethers, here, two identical groups are attached on both sides of an oxygen atom.
B. Asymmetrical ethers, here, two different groups are attached to either side of the oxygen atom.
Two set of rules for nomenclature are there for ethers,
A. As per common nomenclature, the different alkyl/aryl groups attached to the oxygen atom on either side are named according to alphabetical order and then finally the word ether is added to it.
For example, \[{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{O}}{{\text{C}}_{\text{6}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{5}}}\]is named as Methyl phenyl ether.
B. IUPAC Nomenclature of ether follows a set of rules they are, on naming an ether, the parent hydrocarbon is chosen such that the substituent group contains more carbon atoms. A prefix “oxy” is attached to the other substituent group bonded with oxygen atom.
Hence in the question, \[{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{ - O - }}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{5}}}\] the parent chain is ethane and the prefix oxy is attached with methane.

Hence, the answer is option B. methoxyethane.

Note: Ether is used as an anaesthetic solvent in some developed nations due to its low cost.
The oxygen atom in ether is more electronegative than carbon. This makes the alpha hydrogens more acidic than in the normal hydrocarbon’s chains. Ethers are used as solvents for a lot of organic compounds and reactions. This is because they are relatively unreactive.