What is the structure of dimethyl ether?

What is the structure of dimethyl ether?

• A. CH₃-CH₂-O-CH₃
• B. CH₃O-CH₃
• C. CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-OH
• D. CH₃-CH₂-O-CH₂-CH₃

Answer: (B)

Dimethyl ether is an ether with the molecular formula C₂H₆O, which indicates that it consists of two methyl groups (CH₃) connected by an oxygen atom. The correct structure is represented as CH₃O-CH₃. In this structure, each methyl group is represented by a CH₃ and they are bonded to a single oxygen atom. Ethers are characterized by having an oxygen atom between two carbon-containing groups, and in the case of dimethyl ether, both groups are methyl groups. This makes it a simple ether known for its uses as a solvent and an important chemical intermediate. The other structures provided do not correctly depict dimethyl ether. For instance, one shows a carbon chain with an oxygen at one end, characteristic of an alcohol or a different ether structure, while others present different configurations that do not maintain the proper ether functional group setup with the methyl groups.

Dimethyl ether is an ether with the molecular formula C₂H₆O, which indicates that it consists of two methyl groups (CH₃) connected by an oxygen atom. The correct structure is represented as CH₃O-CH₃.

In this structure, each methyl group is represented by a CH₃ and they are bonded to a single oxygen atom. Ethers are characterized by having an oxygen atom between two carbon-containing groups, and in the case of dimethyl ether, both groups are methyl groups. This makes it a simple ether known for its uses as a solvent and an important chemical intermediate.

The other structures provided do not correctly depict dimethyl ether. For instance, one shows a carbon chain with an oxygen at one end, characteristic of an alcohol or a different ether structure, while others present different configurations that do not maintain the proper ether functional group setup with the methyl groups.