Physical and Bond Properties
Structurally speaking, ethers can be considered as derived from water or alcohols, in which two or one hydrogens, respectively, have been replaced by carbon chains.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Methanol | Dimethyl ether |
The angular structure of ethers is well explained by assuming that the oxygen is sp3 hybridized and bears two electron lone pairs. Ethers cannot establish hydrogen bonding and hence, they display much lower boiling and melting points than comparable alcohols.
A very special and important case is that of the epoxides (oxiranes), the three-membered cyclic ethers.
The ring is highly strained, similarly to cyclopropane.
The strain and the oxygen make it very reactive.
 |
|---|
| Ethylene oxide |
