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Ethyl ether (CAS 60-29-7), also known as ether, diethyl ether, ethoxyethane,
ethyl oxide and diethyl oxide, is an important member of the ether family.
It is more commonly referred to as "ether," although ethyl ether
and diethyl ether are synonymous terms for ether. It is a colorless, highly
volatile, highly flammable liquid, with a sweet pungent odor and a burning
taste. It is sparingly soluble in water, but has good solubility with organic
liquids. Ethyl ether should be handled with extreme caution because of its
high volatility and flammability and low autoignition temperature. It is a
nonconductor and can generate static electrical charges that can cause vapor
explosion or ignition.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of ethyl ether:
Because of its inertness, ethyl ether is used as a reaction
or extraction medium in the chemical, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries.
It is an excellent solvent for waxes, resins, and gums. As an extraction medium,
it is used to extract acetic and organic acids from aqueous systems in the
cellulose acetate and plastics industry. In the industrial and automotive sector,
ethyl ether has varied applications such as octane and oxygen enhancers in
gasoline, diesel starting fluid, lubricating oil, plasticizers and vehicles
for products, and removal of paints and varnishes. When combined with ethanol,
ethyl ether finds use as a solvent for cellulose nitrate in guncotton manufacture
and pyroxylin plastics. Pyroxylin is a generic name for nitrocellulose compounds
that form a film when dissolved in a mixture of ethyl ether and alcohol. These
mixtures are used to produce plastics called pyroxylin plastics. Ethyl ether
mixed with ethanol is also used as a solvent for the less nitrated cellulose
in collodium or collodion solutions (nitrocellulose). Collodion has a variety
of industrial uses such as in the manufacture of photographic film, lacquers,
fibers, engraving, and lithography. In medicine it is used as a drug solvent
and as a wound sealant. Ethyl ether is also used as a denaturant in specific
alcohol compositions, and as an entrainer for the dehydration of ethanol and
isopropyl alcohol. Because of the toxicity of ethyl ether’s vapors, it
is used in agricultural applications such as insecticides and fumigants. Ethyl
ether is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and is used as a general
anesthetic.
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