Sulphuric ether is: A. C2H5 – O – C2H5 B. C2H5 – S – C2H5 C. CH3 – O – CH3 D. CH3 – S – CH3
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. C2H5 – S – C2H5.
Explanation:
Sulfuric ether, also known as diethyl sulfide, is a compound that contains sulfur (S) bonded to two ethyl groups (C2H5). The general structure of sulfuric ether is represented by C2H5 – S – C2H5. It is similar in structure to diethyl ether (C2H5 – O – C2H5), except that in sulfuric ether, the oxygen atom is replaced by a sulfur atom.
Let’s break down the given options:
- A. C2H5 – O – C2H5 represents diethyl ether, which is an oxygen-containing ether, not a sulfur ether.
- B. C2H5 – S – C2H5 represents diethyl sulfide, which is the correct sulfuric ether. Sulfur replaces the oxygen in diethyl ether, and this gives the compound distinct chemical properties, especially in terms of its reactivity and the types of reactions it undergoes.
- C. CH3 – O – CH3 represents dimethyl ether, an ether that contains oxygen but with methyl groups attached to it. Again, this is not a sulfur ether.
- D. CH3 – S – CH3 represents dimethyl sulfide, which is another sulfur-containing compound, but it involves methyl groups rather than ethyl groups.
Sulfuric ether, or diethyl sulfide, is commonly used as a solvent or in organic synthesis. It has a distinct, somewhat unpleasant odor and is generally less stable than oxygen ethers due to the greater reactivity of sulfur. Its boiling point is higher than that of diethyl ether, and it is typically more polar in nature. Sulfuric ethers also tend to undergo different chemical reactions than oxygen ethers, especially in the presence of oxidizing agents.
