Question

What is \[ethoxy{\text{ }}methane\]?

Answer 1

Hint: Try to understand the above given structure from the IUPAC rules. From the name we can tell that it is an ether and has an alkane group present in it. Thus by the nomenclature we can tell the functional group of a compound.

Complete answer:
\[ethoxy{\text{ }}methane\] is an ether. It is a mixed ether which is actually called \[methoxy{\text{ }}ethane\]. It is represented by \[C{H_3}O{C_2}{H_5}\]
Let us break down the nomenclature of the above compound and draw its structure
\[C{H_3} - O - C{H_2} - C{H_3}\]
Here the root word is \[ - eth\] which means that the longest chain contains two number of carbons and the bond between them is a single bond which means that they are alkane therefore it is \[ethane\]
Now as it is mentioned earlier that the functional group here is ether. Ether is a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group , an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. They have the general formula \[R - O - {R'}\] where \[R\] and \[R\] ‘ represent the alkyl or aryl group. As we can see in the structure there is an oxygen atom bridging two groups. Ethers are named as \[alkyl{\text{ }}alkane\] . Therefore the name is \[ethoxy{\text{ }}methane\]
\[ethoxy{\text{ }}methane\] is one form of functional isomerism exhibited by alcohol. It is composed of one methylene, two methyl groups and one oxygen atom. They are sweet smelling substances.

Note:
Functional isomers are constitutional isomers. They occur when substances have the same molecular formula but different functional groups. This means that functional isomers belong to different homologous series. Alcohols and Ethers are functional group isomers. Also aldehydes and ketones are functional isomers.