Structure & Properties of Ethers

Ethers have geometry similar to water and alcohols. The oxygen atom is sp³ hybridised. There are two lone pairs of electrons present on the oxygen atom.

Polar Solvents

The ether molecule has a bent structure. Since the carbon-oxygen bond is polar and the molecule has a bent structure, there is a net dipole moment and the ether molecule is polar is nature. Thus, ethers act as polar solvents.

Boiling Point

Since ethers do not have a hydrogen atom linked to the oxygen atom, they cannot form hydrogen bonds among their own molecules. Due to the absence of hydrogen bonding, they have lower boiling points as compared to alcohols having similar molecular masses.