Question

question
identify the options below that are not characteristics of ethers. (select all that apply)
select all that apply:
they each contain a carbonyl group.
each contains the functional group -o- attached to hydrogen atoms via single bonds.
they do not contain oxygen.
each contains the functional group -o- attached to carbon atoms via single bonds.

Explanation:

• Carbonyl group (\(C = O\)): Ethers have the general formula \(R - O - R'\) (where \(R\) and \(R'\) are alkyl or aryl groups). They do not have a carbonyl (\(C=O\)) group. Carbonyl groups are characteristic of aldehydes (\(R - CHO\)), ketones (\(R - CO - R'\)), etc.
• \(-O -\) attached to hydrogen: In ethers, the oxygen atom is bonded to two carbon atoms (\(R - O - R'\)), not to hydrogen atoms. For example, in diethyl ether (\(C_2H_5 - O - C_2H_5\)), the oxygen is between two ethyl (\(C_2H_5-\)) groups.
• No oxygen: Ethers have the general formula \(R - O - R'\), which clearly shows that they contain an oxygen atom.
• \(-O -\) attached to carbon: This is a correct characteristic of ethers. The functional group of an ether is \(R - O - R'\), where the oxygen is attached to two carbon atoms via single bonds.

Answer:

A. They each contain a carbonyl group.
B. Each contains the functional group \(-O -\) attached to hydrogen atoms via single bonds.
C. They do not contain oxygen.