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Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an oxygen between two alkyl groups. They have the formula R-O-R', with R's being the alkyl groups. these compounds are used in dye, perfumes, oils, waxes and industrial use. Ethers are named as alkoxyalkanes.

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Ethers have wide use as commercial solvents and extractants for esters, gums, hydrocarbons, alkaloids, oils, resins, dyes, plastics, lacquers, and paints. They are used as dewaxing extractants for lubricating oils.

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Ethers are relatively unreactive compounds. The ether linkage is quite stable towards bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents. Therefore, we must remember that with respect to the ether linkage, ethers undergo just one kind of reaction.
Cleavage takes place only under quite extreme conditions, like in concentrated acids (usually HI or HBr) and high temperatures. A dialkyl ether produces, initially, an alkyl halide and an alcohol.
The oxygen of an ether is basic, similar to the oxygen of an alcohol. The initial reaction between an ether and an acid is no doubt, the formation of the protonated ether. Cleavage, then, involves the nucleophilic attack by a halide ion on this protonated ether, with the displacement of the weakly basic alcohol molecule.
Such a reaction usually occurs much more readily as compared to the displacement of the strongly basic alkoxide ion from the neutral ether.

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Names of each alkyl group come before the word ether. If the two alkyl groups are the same, the prefix –di is used. If the two alkyl groups are different, they are listed in alphabetical order.

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ether, any of a number of organic compounds whose molecules contain two hydrocarbon groups joined by single bonds to an oxygen atom. The most common of these compounds is ethyl ether, CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃, often called simply ether, a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinctive odor; its IUPAC name is ethoxyethane. Ethyl ether boils at 34.5°C and is extremely flammable. It is insoluble in water but mixes with many organic solvents and is widely used as a solvent itself, e.g., for fats and oils. Its most familiar historical application is as an anesthetic.

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Physical Properties of Ethers

An ether molecule has a net dipole moment due to the polarity of C-O bonds.

The boiling point of ethers is comparable to the alkanes but much lower than that of alcohols of comparable molecular mass despite the polarity of the C-O bond. ...

Ether molecules are miscible in water.

Ethers are generally classified into two categories on the basis of substituent groups attached: symmetrical ether (when two identical groups are attached to the oxygen atom) and asymmetrical ether (when two different groups are attached to the oxygen atom). Ethers exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties.