On whether ethyl acetate is an ether

chemical substance, there are many categories and different properties. The genus of ethyl acetate and ether often makes people doubt its genus. Let's talk about it now.

Ether, its general formula is often R-O-R ', in which R and R' are hydrocarbon groups, and the oxygen atom is connected to two hydrocarbon groups, which is a significant structural feature of ether. Its chemical properties are relatively stable, and substitution and other reactions can occur under certain conditions.

Ethyl acetate, its structure is simply CH 🥰 COOCH 🥰 CH. Looking at its structure, it contains carbonyl (C = O) and ester (-COO-). Although it contains an oxygen atom, it is connected to the carbonyl group to form an ester structure, which is not an ether's R-O-R 'structure.

In terms of chemical properties, ethyl acetate can be hydrolyzed, and under the catalysis of acid or base, it can react with water to form acetic acid and ethanol; alcoholysis, aminolysis and other reactions can occur. This is very different from the properties of ethers. Ethers are generally difficult to hydrolyze, and the main reactions are the substitution of ether bonds.

From this perspective, ethyl acetate is not an ether substance. Its structure and chemical properties are different from those of ethers. Chemical substances must be studied in detail in order to obtain their true meaning and clarify their class.