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Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis

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Overview
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.

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Overview
Ethers can also be prepared from alkenes through acid-catalyzed addition of alcohols and alkoxymercuration–demercuration.
Preparation of Ethers by Acid-Catalyzed Addition of Alcohol to Alkenes
The acid-catalyzed addition of alcohol to an alkene involves treating the alkene with an excess of alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an ether under suitable conditions. The hydrogen will add to the less substituted carbon so that the nucleophile can attack the more substituted...

Autoxidation of Ethers to Peroxides and Hydroperoxides

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Ethers represent a class of chemical compounds that become more dangerous with prolonged storage because they tend to form explosive peroxides when standing in the air. Autoxidation is the spontaneous oxidation of a compound in air. In the presence of oxygen, ethers slowly oxidize to form hydroperoxides and dialkyl peroxides.

Crown Ethers

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Crown ethers are cyclic polyethers that contain multiple oxygen atoms, usually arranged in a regular pattern. The first crown ether was synthesized by Charles Pederson while working at DuPont in 1967. For this work, Pedersen was co-awarded the 1987 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Crown ethers are named using the formula x-crown-y, where x is the total number of atoms in the ring and y is the number of ether oxygen atoms. The term 'crown' refers to the crown-like shape that these ether molecules take.

Thomson's e/m Experiment

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver

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David John Thomas and the first operation under etherisation in Melbourne.

Rajesh P Haridas¹

¹Harry Daly Museum and Richard Bailey Library, Australian Society of Anaesthetists, Sydney, Australia.

Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

|November 26, 2020

Summary

The first ether anesthesia in Australia was administered by David John Thomas to James Egan in 1847. This pioneering medical event occurred in Melbourne and marked a significant advancement in surgical practices.

Keywords:

David John Thomas James Egan Melbourne ether anaesthesia

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Area of Science:

Medical History
Surgical Innovation
Anesthesia

Background:

David John Thomas administered ether anesthesia to James Egan in 1847, marking a significant milestone.
James Egan, an Irish immigrant, underwent amputation for a forearm injury sustained in a shooting accident.

Observation:

Egan traveled six days to reach Melbourne for treatment.
Egan experienced fainting spells during his journey, highlighting the risks involved.

Findings:

The first ether anesthesia in the Australian colonies was administered by David John Thomas.
Thomas presented his findings on ether anesthesia in September 1847, the earliest known presentation in the region.

Implications:

This event represents a crucial early adoption of anesthesia in Australian colonial medicine.
The presentation signifies the introduction and early dissemination of anesthetic techniques in Australia.
The historical manuscript is preserved at the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum.