Ethers are a class of
organic compounds that contain an ether
group—an
oxygen atom connected to two
alkyl or
aryl groups—of general formula R–O–R'. These ethers can again be classified into two varieties, if the alkyl groups are the same on both sides of the oxygen atom then it is a simple or symmetrical ether. Whereas if they are different the ethers are called mixed or unsymmetrical ethers A typical example is the
solvent and
anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether" (CH
3-CH
2-O-CH
2-CH
3). Ethers are common in organic chemistry and pervasive in biochemistry, as they are common linkages in
carbohydrates and
lignin.