Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxy ethane, is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid with a low boil and a distinctive smelling aroma. The most common member of this chemical mixed group generally known as ether is an isomer of butanol. Formula CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3, diethyl ether is used as an ordinary solvent and has been used as a general anesthetic. Ether dissolved slightly in the air (6.9 g / 100 mL).
Diethyl ether is a common laboratory solvent and has limited solubility in the air, so it is often used for liquid-liquid extraction. Because it is less dense when compared to air, the ether layer is usually at the top. One common solvent for Grignard reaction, and for most other reactions with various organometallic reagents, Diethyl ether is essential as one solvent in the production of cellulosic plastic as cellulose acetate. Diethyl ether has a high cetane number, 85 to 96, used as one of the starting materials for diesel and gasoline engines due to its high aliveness and flammable temperature.