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Nomenclature

Ethers can be regarded as alkanes bearing an alkoxy (RO–) substituent. The largest alkane part (main chain) gives the name to the alkane, and the shorter one gives the name to the alkoxy group.

1-Methoxypropane, CH₃OCH₂CH₂CH₃2-Ethoxy-2-methylbutane, CH₃CH₂OC(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₃trans-1,3-Dimethoxycyclohexane in a chair conformation, with one axial and one equatorial methoxy group
1-Methoxypropane
(Methyl propyl ether)		2-Ethoxy-2-methylbutanetrans-1,3-Dimethoxycyclohexane

Cyclic ethers are named using the 'oxa' prefix.
'Epoxides' are a special and important case.

1,4,7,10-Tetraoxacyclododecane (12-crown-4 ether)2-Methyloxacyclopropane (propylene oxide)
1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecane2-Methyloxacyclopropane
(Propylene oxide)

Ethers are in general of very low reactivity (with the exception of the 'epoxides') and they are usually employed as solvents. The most common ones are:

Diethyl ether, CH₃CH₂–O–CH₂CH₃Tetrahydrofuran (oxacyclopentane)1,4-Dioxane (1,4-dioxacyclohexane)
Ethoxyethane
(Diethyl ether)
(Ethyl ether)
B.p. = 35ºC		Oxacyclopentane
(Tetrahydrofuran)
B.p. = 67ºC		1,4-Dioxacyclohexane
(1,4-Dioxane)
B.p. = 101ºC
Dimethoxyethane (glyme), CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₃Diglyme, CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃
Dimethoxyethane
(Glycol dimethyl ether)
(Glyme)
B.p. = 85ºC		1,5-Dimethoxy-3-oxapentane
[Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether]
(Diglyme)
B.p. = 162ºC