Ethers are cleaved by acids and not by bases. Explain.

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Ethers**: Ethers are organic compounds with the general formula ROR', where R and R' are alkyl or aryl groups. The oxygen atom in the ether has two lone pairs of electrons, making it an electron-rich species.

2. **Electron-Rich Nature**: The presence of lone pairs on the oxygen atom categorizes ethers as Lewis bases. Lewis bases are species that can donate a pair of electrons to form a bond.

3. **Reactivity with Acids**: When ethers are exposed to acids (like H2SO4), the acid donates a proton (H⁺) to the ether. The oxygen atom donates one of its lone pairs to bond with the proton, forming an oxonium ion (R-OH₂⁺). This step is crucial as it activates the ether for further reactions.

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