In the modern world, you need to constantly develop, learn something new, you can not stand still. However, for unknown reasons, many understand development as just chasing iPhone models, mastering emerging and existing social networks, watching videos (in most cases absolutely useless), or studying only a certain topic. Hardly many non-chemists can say what sulfuric ether is. 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 is ether in principle? What is the formula, properties and use of sulfuric ether?
Classes of compounds called "Ether"
Initially, all classes of compounds related to esters were called esters, there was no division into three groups that exist today:
- Ethers are a class of compounds in which oxygen is present between two hydrocarbon radicals, that is, both radicals are linked to the same oxygen. The most famous representative of this class is ethyl ether.
- Esters - the so-called derivatives of carboxylic and mineral acids (the so-called hydroxy acids), in which, in place of the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the acidic function, an alcohol residue is present. Of course, the definition is complex and incomprehensible, the general formula of such compounds is: RC (= O) -R '. Representatives are ethyl acetate, butyl butyrate, benzyl formate.
- Polyesters are a class of high molecular weight compounds. They are obtained as a result of polycondensation of polybasic acids, that is, they contain two atoms and more hydrogen. For example, hydrochloric acid - HCl - monobasic acid, nitric - HNO 3 - too. But sulfuric - H 2 SO 4 - and phosphoric - H 3 PO 4 - are polybasic (sulfuric - dibasic, phosphoric - three), as well as their aldehydes with polyhydric alcohols (these alcohols have two or more hydroxyl-OH groups).
What is sulfuric ether?
It is not known where, when, how, and by whom diethyl ether was first obtained. And here is this substance? Yes, it’s just that sulfuric ether has several names, including ethyl. Ethoxyethane (another name) is an ether, the molecule of which consists of two ethyl groups (-C 2 H 5 ) and oxygen, with which both radicals (ethyl groups) are bound. It is not known for certain when and by whom it was first received - there are several points of view on this issue. There are speculations that in the ninth century, Jabir ibn Haiyan was the first to receive diethyl ether. But it is also possible that only in 1275 the Catalan missionary Raimund Lullius was able to become a pioneer in the field of ethoxyethane synthesis. The substance belongs to aliphatic ethers (that is, it does not have aromatic bonds).
Production methods
The name of sulfuric ether is closely related to the production method, which was mastered in the Middle Ages. It is a distillation of ethyl alcohol and sulfuric acid. But the name was given to this substance, or rather it was named ether, only in 1729. Up to this point, you can find such a name as “sweet vitriol oil” (formerly 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: (C 2 H 5 ) 2 O. The systematic name (according to the international SI system) is 1,1-hydroxy-bis-ethane. The gross formula of the substance is C 4 H 10 O.
Physical properties
Sulfur ether is a volatile liquid that is very mobile. It has no color, 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 have an irritating effect on the respiratory tract.
Ethyl ether is a highly flammable liquid; its vapors form explosive mixtures with air and oxygen. When interacting with water 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 salts, which are very unstable compounds. With Lewis acids (chemical compounds that are acceptors of an electron pair), on the contrary, forms fairly stable compounds. Miscible with ethyl alcohol, benzene in any ratio.
Ethoxyethane use
There are two main areas of application of ethyl ether: medicine (pharmacology) and technology. From the point of view of the effect on the human body, diethyl ether is a general anesthetic substance, that is, it is used as anesthesia, an anesthetic. During the preparatory operations for filling (dental practice) locally used “holes” in the teeth from caries and root canal. Surgeons use ethoxyethane as an inhalation anesthesia: the patient inhales ether vapors, as a result of which the central nervous system is “immobilized”. Such an effect completely passes.
Found application of sulfuric ether and as a solvent. This is already a technical field of application. It can also be used as a coolant, much less often acts as a refrigerant. In compression model aircraft engines it is used as one of the fuel components.
Alkylsulfuric acids (sulfuric acid esters)
Alkylsulfuric acids are one of the most important representatives of inorganic acid (mineral) esters, which are of no small importance in the field of synthesis of organic compounds. Sulfuric acid ester, the general formula of these compounds, the most significant representatives are an interesting topic for discussion. So, the general formula of alkylsulfuric acids is as follows: R-CH 2 -O-SO 2 -OH. These substances are quite simple to obtain - they are easily formed by the interaction of sulfuric acid with alcohols. Water is also released during the reaction. The most important representatives of this class of compounds are 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 smell and a burning taste. It is obtained from ethyl alcohol when exposed to acids (in particular sulfuric acid). It is used in medicine and technology.