atom), is used as antifreeze because its high boiling point makes it a good nonvolatile solute when
exploiting the colligative property of freezing-point depression.
ETHERS
Ethers are compounds containing a C−O−C bond. Following the same convention above where R is
used to designate some organic group, the generic formula for an ether is ROR’. Examples of ethers
include:
In the diagrams above, we have extended the common practice in organic chemistry where the
carbon atoms are not explicitly depicted but are assumed to occupy the positions where there is a
“kink” in the structure drawn. (Previously we have only done this in cyclic compounds.)
Ethers are not capable of hydrogen bonding and therefore have low boiling points. They are also
relatively inert and are frequently used as solvents in organic chemistry reactions.
CARBONYL COMPOUNDS
Carbonyl compounds are those containing a carbon-oxygen double bond, the carbonyl bond. The
generic structure for such a compound is:
Depending on what exactly the two other groups attached to the carbon atom are, one can be more
specific in naming the class of compounds to which the molecule belongs. Below are some
examples: