Difference between diethyl ether and dimethyl ether

1. basic definition and structure

Ether (Eth ether) and dimethyl ether (Diethyl ether) are both ethers, but there are obvious differences in their structures and applications.

1. chemical structure

• Ether consists of 1 molecule of ethane and 1 molecule of methoxyalkane, the molecular formula is C4H10O.
• Dimethyl ether consists of 2 molecules of ethane and 1 molecule of methoxyalkane, the molecular formula is C4H10O2.

1. Structural features

• Ether molecular structure in the presence of a four-membered ring (cyclopropane-ring methyl structure), with high stability.
• Dimethyl ether structure in the two ethyl around a central methoxy arranged, so that the molecule has a large polarization.

2. physical properties comparison

1. boiling point

• Ether has a boiling point of 34.6°C, which is relatively high and is suitable as a solvent.
• Dimethyl ether has a boiling point of only -23.2°C, the lower boiling point making it commonly used in high vacuum experiments and as a solvent.

1. Solubility

• Ether in water solubility is low, mainly with organic mixed use.
• Dimethyl ether has good solubility and is commonly used in organic solvent fields.

1. Density

• Ether has a density of about 0.711g/cm³.
• Dimethyl ether has a density of 0.718g/cm³, which is slightly higher than that of diethyl ether.

3. chemical properties comparison

1. Flammability

• Ether is flammable and when lit produces a yellow flame.
• Dimethyl ether although also flammable, but relatively safe, lit when the flame color is lighter.

1. Stability

• Ether in light and high temperature decomposition, will produce acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide.
• Dimethyl ether is relatively stable and not easy to decompose, but long-term exposure to the air still needs attention.

1. chemical reaction characteristics

• Ether in acidic or alkaline conditions easily hydrolyzed to produce ethanol and acetic acid.
• Dimethyl ether in acidic conditions is not easy to decompose, often used in organic reactions.

4. selection and application

1. selection factor

• Ether due to the boiling point is higher, commonly used in the need for high boiling point solvent occasions.
• Dimethyl ether due to the boiling point is low, easy to stratification characteristics, mostly used for high vacuum experiments and organic solvent applications.

1. Application field

• Ether is widely used in organic chemical synthesis, large-scale production of solvents, etc.
• Dimethyl ether is mainly used for experimental solvents, high vacuum systems, etc.

5. Storage and Security

1. Storage

• Ether needs to be kept in a cool, ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight.
• Dimethyl ether due to the boiling point is low, often with the experimental equipment to carry, relatively easy to store.

1. Safety Precautions

• Ether flammable, operation should pay attention to fire.
• Dimethyl ether is flammable, but the relative ether is safer, the operation also need to pay attention to fire.

Ether and dimethyl ether have significant differences in structure, physical properties and chemical properties, and the choice of use should be judged according to the actual needs. It is hoped that the analysis in this article can help you better understand and apply these two solvents.