Ether (chemistry)

An ether is a chemical compound in which two hydrocarbons are joined together by an intervening oxygen atom. Ethers, particularly diethyl ether, often called simply ether, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) are common solvents for organic chemistry reactions. Diethyl ether was one of the first anaesthetic agents. Many ethers are extremely flammable, and thus use of diethyl ether in the operating room, in the presence of high oxygen levels, in no longer used.