In the modern world you need to continually evolve, to learn something new, you can not stand still. However, for unknown reasons, the development of a lot of people understand only the pursuit of models of iPhones, the development of emerging and existing social networks, watching videos (in most cases, completely useless), or the study of a specific topic. Hardly many chemists can not say what diethyl ether. Or talk about its properties. And who knows where this substance is used? Why is sulfuric ether called that way? Unfortunately, only a few can answer all these questions. What exactly is ether? What is the formula, properties and application of sulfuric ether?
Classes of compounds called "Ether"
Initially, all classes of compounds related to ethers were called ethers, there was no division into three groups that exist today:
- Ethers are a class of compounds in which there is oxygen between two hydrocarbon radicals, that is, both radicals have bonds with the same oxygen. most famousethyl ester is representative of this class.
- Esters - this is the name of derivatives of carboxylic and mineral acids (the so-called hydroxy acids), in which in the molecule instead of the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the acidic function there is an alcohol residue. Of course, the definition is complex and incomprehensible, the general formula of such compounds is R-C(=O)-R'. Representatives are ethyl acetate, butyl butyrate, benzyl formate.
- Polyesters are a class of macromolecular compounds. They are obtained as a result of the polycondensation of polybasic acids, that is, they contain two or more hydrogen atoms. For example, hydrochloric acid - HCl - monobasic acid, nitric acid - HNO3 - too. But sulfuric - H2SO4 - and phosphoric - H3PO 4 - polybasic (sulphuric - dibasic, phosphoric - three), like their aldehydes with polyhydric alcohols (these alcohols have two or more hydroxyl -OH groups).
What is sulfuric ether?
It is not known for certain where, when, how and by whom diethyl ether was first obtained. And what about this substance? Yes, it’s just that sulfuric ether has several names, including ethyl ether. Ethoxyethane (another name) is a simple ether, the molecule of which consists of two ethyl groups (-С2Н5) and oxygen, with which both radicals (ethyl groups) are linked. It is not known for certain when and by whom it was first obtained - there are several points of view on this issue. There are suggestions that in the ninth century, Jabir ibn Hayyan was the first to obtain diethyl ether. Butit is also possible that it was not until 1275 that the Catalan missionary Raymond Lull was able to become a pioneer in the synthesis of ethoxyethane. The substance belongs to aliphatic ethers (that is, it does not have aromatic bonds).
Methods of obtaining
The name of sulfuric ether is closely related to the method of obtaining, which was mastered in the Middle Ages. We are talking about the distillation of ethyl alcohol and sulfuric acid. But the name was given to this substance, more precisely, it was named ether, only in 1729. Up to this point, you can find such a name as "sweet vitriol oil" (earlier sulfuric acid was called vitriol oil).
However, this is not the only method for the synthesis of diethyl ether. It can be obtained as a by-product from the hydration of ethylene in sulfuric or phosphoric acid. The main part of diethyl ether is formed at the stage of hydrolysis of sulfates. The chemical formula of sulfuric ether is as follows: (C2H5)2O. The systematic name (according to the international SI system) is 1, 1-hydroxy-bis-ethane. The gross formula of the substance is С4Н10O.
Physical properties
Sulfur ether is a highly volatile liquid that is very mobile. It has no color, it is completely transparent. This liquid has a rather specific smell and a very burning taste. Diethyl ether decomposes under the influence of light, moisture, air. When heated, it also decomposes, as well as from the above factors. As a result of its decomposition, quite toxic substances are formed,which are irritating to the respiratory tract.
Ethyl ether is a flammable liquid, its vapors form explosive mixtures with air and oxygen. When interacting with water, it forms an azeotropic mixture.
Sulfur ether: chemical properties
For diethyl ether, as a representative of the class of ethers, the properties of this class of compounds are characteristic. As a result of decomposition, it forms aldehydes, peroxides, ketones. When interacting with strong acids, it forms oxonium s alts, which are very unstable compounds. With Lewis acids (chemical compounds that are electron pair acceptors), on the contrary, it forms fairly stable compounds. Miscible with ethyl alcohol, benzene in any ratio.
Application of ethoxyethane
There are two main applications of ethyl ester: medicine (pharmacology) and technology. From the point of view of the effect on the human body, diethyl ether is a general anesthetic, that is, it is used as an anesthetic, an anesthetic. During the preparatory operations for filling (dental practice), "holes" in the teeth from caries and root canals are used locally. Surgeons, on the other hand, use ethoxyethane as an inhalation anesthesia: the patient inhales ether vapors, as a result of which the central nervous system is “immobilized”. This effect wears off completely.
Found a use for sulfurether and as a solvent. We are talking about the technical field of application. It can also be used as a coolant, much less often acts as a refrigerant. It is used as one of the fuel components in model aircraft engines of compression type.
Alkylsulfuric acids (sulfuric acid esters)
Alkylsulfuric acids are one of the most important representatives of esters of inorganic acids (mineral), which are of no small importance in the field of synthesis of organic compounds. Sulfuric acid ester, the formula common to these compounds, the representatives of the most significant are an interesting topic for discussion. So, the general formula of alkylsulfuric acids is as follows: R-CH2-O-SO2-OH. These substances are quite simple to obtain - they are easily formed by the interaction of sulfuric acid with alcohols. During the reaction, water is also released. The most important representatives of this class of compounds are the esters of methyl (methylsulfuric acid) and ethyl (ethylsulfuric acid) alcohols.
Conclusions
So, sulfuric ether is an aliphatic ether, which is a clear, colorless liquid with a peculiar odor and a burning taste. It is obtained from ethyl alcohol when it is exposed to acids (in particular sulfuric). Used in medicine and technology.
