Ether
Ether
Ether (pronounced: /ˈiːθər/) is a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. They have the general formula R–O–R′, where R and R′ represent the alkyl or aryl groups. Ethers are a common class of organic compounds and can be found in a variety of everyday products, including certain pharmaceuticals and perfumes.
Etymology
The term "ether" is derived from the Latin word "aether", which means "upper air or pure, fresh air". In ancient cosmologies, aether was supposed to fill the region of the universe above the terrestrial sphere.
Types of Ethers
There are two main types of ethers: simple ethers and mixed ethers. Simple ethers are ones where the alkyl or aryl groups are the same, while mixed ethers have different groups.
Medical Uses
Ethers have been used in medicine for their anesthetic properties. The most notable of these is Diethyl Ether, also known as "ether", which was widely used as a surgical anesthetic in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ether
- Wikipedia's article - Ether
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