Naming Ethers: Study with Video Lessons, Practice Problems & Examples

Ethers are named by combining the names of their two alkyl groups followed by the term "ether." The smaller alkyl group is treated as an alkoxy substituent, which includes the oxygen atom. This naming convention aligns with IUPAC rules, emphasizing the location of substituents. Understanding this unique naming system is essential for identifying ethers in organic chemistry, as it reflects their structure and functional groups, such as the alkoxy group, which plays a significant role in their chemical behavior.

Rules for Naming Ethers Concept 1

In this video, we're going to take a look at naming ethers. Now recall, ethers possess an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl groups. Here we're going to say, because of this, ethers have a unique naming system. Here we'd say the parent name is ether. And the way we look at our naming system is that we're going to have our alkyl substituents. So substituent 1, substituent 2 as the beginning of the name, and then we're going to end it with ether. This is the unique approach we're going to take to naming all the types of ethers we're about to see.

Naming Ethers Example 1

In this example question, it asks to name the following ether compound. In order to accomplish this, we're going to utilize the following three steps. Step 1, we have to identify the two alkyl groups connected to our oxygen atom. So here is our oxygen atom, and we have this alkyl group connected to it, and this alkyl group connected to it. Here this has 1, 2, 3, 4 carbons, so this would be a butyl group, and this is only a methyl group.

Step 2: Name the two alkyl groups alphabetically as substituents. So here, we know we have a butyl and a methyl group connected to the oxygen. If there are identical alkyl groups, use the numerical prefix "di." Here they are not the same, so we don't have to say like "dimethyl" or "dibutyl." So we're going to say here, butyl, methyl.

Step 3: End the name of the compound with "ether," and then write the name with spaces. So there's a space between butyl and methyl, and then the end of the name ether. So this would be butyl methyl ether.

Provide the name for the following ether.

• A. tert-butyl pentyl ether
• B. sec-butyl pentyl ether
• C. sec-butyl pentanoate
• D. pentyl sec-butyl ether

Which structure represents isobutyl propyl ether?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

IUPAC Rules for Naming Ethers Concept 2

The IUPAC rules for naming ethers are very similar to naming alkanes with substituents. Here we're going to say that the smaller alkyl group is treated as an alkoxy substituent. Now, what's an alkoxy substituent? Well, that's just the smaller alkyl group combined with the oxygen atom. Here, the naming convention will be the location of our substituents, one of them being an alkoxy substituent, and then the parent name. So, these are the approaches we're going to take when coming to name these ethers under the IUPAC naming system.

IUPAC Rules for Naming Ethers Example 2

Give the systematic name for the following ether. Now, here, step 1 is we have to identify the two alkyl groups connected to the oxygen atom. And we're going to say that the larger alkyl group is assigned the parent name according to the prefixes. So if we take a look at this ether, this side here has a total of four carbons involved. So if we look, we have four carbons involved here, and this side only has two. So, it's going to be the one on the left side that's going to form the parent name. Step 2 is we have to assign names to all substituents.

Alright. So, the way we're going to look at this is this side has the most carbons involved, but we still have to operate along the whole idea of substituents and the longest chain. We're going to say that the smaller alkyl by default will become the alkoxy substituent, and it'll be connected to the oxygen. So here, this is a substituent for us. So this is a substituent. And we have to look and see what the longest carbon chain is. The longest carbon chain is 123, which would mean that this up here is also a substituent.

Right, so we have two substituents on a three-carbon chain. Alright, so start numbering the chain from the, we're going to say the closest substituent. If a tie between substituents compare the next closest substituent, there was no tie because if we made this carbon 1, that's because the substituent's already here. If we made this 1, we'd have to go 12 before we get to a substituent. Right now, if still a tie, then number in alphabetical order, which we didn't need to do.

Alright. So we have our structure here. Again, this is a substituent, and this becomes a substituent. And then we repeat steps from naming alkanes with substituents. So coming back up here, We're going to say that this is a one-carbon substituent, so this is a methyl. This here is an alkoxy substituent since it's combined with the oxygen. A 2-carbon substituent is ethyl, but it's no longer an ethyl because it's combined with the oxygen, so it becomes an ethoxy.

Alright. So now we're going to say that the longest carbon chain is three carbons long, three carbons long is propane. And then the two substituents e come before m. So on carbon 1, we have an ethoxy. On carbon 2, we have a methyl. So this would be 1-ethoxy-2-methylpropane. This will be the name of this following ether.

Provide both the common and IUPAC name for the following ether. 

• A. dipropyl ether; 1-propoxypropane
• B. dibutyl ether; 1-butoxybutane
• C. dipropyl ether; 2-propoxypropane
• D. dibutyl ether; 2-butoxybutane

What is the IUPAC name of isobutyl propyl ether?

• A. 2-methyl-1-propoxypropane
• B. 2-methyl-1-propanepropoxy
• C. 3-methyl-1-propoxybutane
• D. 2-dimethyl-1-propoxyethane

Which structure represents isobutoxycyclohexane?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What is the general naming convention for ethers?

The general naming convention for ethers involves naming the two alkyl groups attached to the oxygen atom, followed by the word 'ether.' For example, if you have an oxygen atom connected to a methyl group (CH₃) and an ethyl group (C₂H₅), the ether would be named methyl ethyl ether. This method is straightforward and helps in identifying the structure of the ether based on its name.

How do you name ethers using IUPAC rules?

Under IUPAC rules, ethers are named by treating the smaller alkyl group as an alkoxy substituent. This means you combine the smaller alkyl group with the oxygen atom to form the alkoxy group. For example, if you have an ether with a methoxy group (CH₃O-) and a butane chain (C₄H₉), it would be named methoxybutane. The location of the alkoxy substituent is also specified if necessary, such as 1-methoxybutane.

What is an alkoxy substituent in the context of naming ethers?

An alkoxy substituent in the context of naming ethers is the smaller alkyl group combined with the oxygen atom. For example, in methoxyethane (CH₃OCH₂CH₃), the methoxy group (CH₃O-) is the alkoxy substituent. This group is treated as a substituent on the larger alkyl chain, and its position is indicated in the name if necessary.

Why is it important to understand the naming system for ethers?

Understanding the naming system for ethers is crucial because it allows chemists to accurately identify and communicate the structure of these compounds. Ethers have unique chemical properties and reactivity due to the presence of the oxygen atom, and knowing their names helps in predicting their behavior in chemical reactions. Additionally, proper naming is essential for writing scientific papers, lab reports, and for effective communication in the field of organic chemistry.

Can you provide an example of naming an ether with two different alkyl groups?

Sure! Let's consider an ether with a methyl group (CH₃) and a propyl group (C₃H₇). According to the general naming convention, this ether would be named methyl propyl ether. If we use the IUPAC naming system, the smaller alkyl group (methyl) is treated as an alkoxy substituent, resulting in the name methoxypropane.