Ethers and Sulfides
Module Overview
This module covers synthesis and reactivity of ethers and epoxides. Students will connect these to the larger sustainability goals of UNSDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and 13: Climate Action. This module is designed to be taught in consecutive class periods of one week in the later part of Organic I term or the early part of Organic 2 term.
Module Goal
The goal of this module is to understand the chemical properties, uses, sources, safety, and environmental considerations surrounding the use of ethers. Students will learn newer alternative and complementary syntheses of and with ethers, including some as biofeedstocks. Through the lens of ethers, students will be able to choose safer and effective solvents. Students will be able to characterize ethers by comparisons with related functional groups (structure-vs.-property/reactivity): alcohols, dialkyl sulfides, amines, and epoxides.
Audience
First-semester or early second-semester organic chemistry undergraduates
Class Time Requirement
Approximately three 50-minute class periods
Module Authors
Jamie L. Ferguson, Emory & Henry College; Felicia A. Etzkorn, Virginia Tech; Maggie B. Bump, Virginia Tech
Module Summary
Assumed Prior Knowledge
This module is designed to be used in the first semester of organic chemistry. Students should be able to demonstrate the following skills and concepts to successfully begin this module:
- The fundamental mechanisms of nucleophilic substitution ( SN1, SN2) on sp3 carbons and elimination (E1/E2) mechanisms.
- Knowledge of spectroscopy is NOT required.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Understand the chemical properties, uses, sources, safety, and environmental considerations surrounding the use of ethers.
- Through the lens of ethers, students will be able to choose safer and effective solvents.
- Become familiarized with newer alternative and complementary syntheses and reactions of ethers, sulfides, and epoxides.
- Characterize ethers by comparisons with related functional groups (structure-vs.-property/reactivity): alcohols, sulfides, amines, and epoxides.
Unit Overview
Unit 1: Structure, Properties, Safety, and Sources
1.1 | (5 min) Nomenclature and structure
|
Unit 2: Synthesis of Ethers and Sulfides
2.1 | (25 min) Synthesis of ethers – Acidic, basic, and electrochemical
|
Unit 3: Physical Properties and Applications in Fuel Chemistry
3.1 | (5 min) Ethylene oxide (EtO) structure
|
Download Module
Ethers and Sulfides Includes:
- Module Overview Document
- Units 1-3
- Formative Assessments
- Summative Assessments
Copyright Statement
We encourage the reuse and dissemination of the material here for noncommercial purposes as long as attribution to the original material on the ACS site is retained. Material on this page is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License unless otherwise noted.
- Attribution required
- Allows remix of content
- Commercial use not allowed
About the Green Chemistry Module Project
The ACS Green Chemistry Instiute has partnered with chemistry instructors from over 45 institutions to develop green chemistry education resources for undergraduate students studying general and organic chemistry.
