What is the Difference Between Diethyl Ether and Petroleum Ether?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Diethyl ether and petroleum ether are two distinct chemical compounds with different properties and uses. Here are the key differences between them:
- Chemical Composition: Diethyl ether is a pure organic compound with the molecular formula CH3CH2OCH2CH3, while petroleum ether is a mixture of various organic compounds made from carbon and hydrogen, including pentane and hexane.
- Chemical Classification: Diethyl ether is a true ether, with an oxygen atom bonded to two carbons, as defined by organic nomenclature. In contrast, petroleum ether is not an ether and is not a single chemical but a mixture of hydrocarbons.
- Physical Properties: Diethyl ether is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature, with a freezing point of -116°C and a boiling point of 35°C. It has a sweetish pungent odor and is highly flammable. Petroleum ether is also a colorless liquid, but it has a boiling point of 38°C and an odor similar to gasoline.
- Solubility: Diethyl ether is slightly soluble in water, while petroleum ether is insoluble in water.
- Toxicology: Both compounds are toxic, but diethyl ether has been used in the past for medical purposes, such as a pain-killer during operations.
- Uses: Diethyl ether and petroleum ether have different industrial applications. Diethyl ether is primarily used as a solvent in the laboratory, while petroleum ether is mainly important as a low-cost solvent for the extraction of hydrophobic lipids.
Comparative Table: Diethyl Ether vs Petroleum Ether
Diethyl ether and petroleum ether are two distinct chemical compounds with different properties and applications. Here is a comparison table highlighting their differences:
Property | Diethyl Ether | Petroleum Ether |
---|---|---|
Chemical Formula | C4H10O | Mixture of hydrocarbons, including pentane, 2-methylbutane, 2,2-dimethylpropane, n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, and 2,3-dimethylbutane |
IUPAC Name | ethoxyethane | - |
Molecular Weight | 74.1216 g/mol | - |
Physical State | Clear, colorless, volatile liquid | Clear, colorless, volatile liquid |
Odor | Sweetish, pungent | Smell of hydrocarbons, similar to gasoline |
Boiling Point | 34.5°C (94.1°F) | 38°C |
Melting Point | -116°C | - |
Solubility in Water | Slightly soluble | Insoluble |
Density | Less dense than water | Less dense than water |
Vapor Density | Heavier than air | Heavier than air |
Polarity | Relatively polar, can form hydrogen bonds with water | Non-polar |
Diethyl ether is an organic compound with a molecular structure consisting of two ethyl groups linked through an oxygen atom. It is a colorless, highly volatile, flammable liquid with a sweetish pungent odor. Diethyl ether is slightly soluble in water and is less dense than water.
Petroleum ether, on the other hand, is a mixture of hydrocarbons and does not have a specific molecular structure. It is a clear, colorless, highly flammable liquid with the smell of hydrocarbons. Petroleum ether is water-insoluble and less dense than water.
The key difference between diethyl ether and petroleum ether is that diethyl ether is a pure organic liquid, while petroleum ether is a mixture of hydrocarbons. They have different chemical structures, physical properties, and applications, and should not be confused with each other.
- Ether vs Petroleum Ether
- Petroleum Benzene vs Petroleum Ether
- Diethyl Ether vs Ethyl Acetate
- Anisole vs Diethyl Ether
- Ethanol vs Dimethyl Ether
- Gasoline vs Petroleum
- Ethylene Glycol vs Diethylene Glycol
- Crude Oil vs Petroleum
- Ester vs Ether
- Ether vs Ketone
- Ethylene vs Ethylidene
- Ethrel vs Ethephon
- Isopropyl vs Ethanol
- Ethane vs Ethene
- Ethylamine vs Diethylamine
- Acetylene vs Ethylene
- Petrolatum vs Petroleum Jelly
- Ethyl Alcohol vs Ethanol
- Ethyl Alcohol vs Isopropyl Alcohol