Which of the following product is formed , when ether is exposed to air :

Options

A. Oxide
B. Alkanes
C. Alkenes
D. Peroxide of diethyl ether

Answer

To determine the product formed when ether is exposed to air, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Ether
Let's consider diethyl ether as an example, which has the chemical formula CH3CH2OCH2CH3.

### Step 2: Understand the Reaction Conditions
When diethyl ether is exposed to air, particularly in the presence of light (HNU), it can undergo a free radical mechanism. This means that the reaction will involve the formation of free radicals due to the breaking of bonds.

### Step 3: Initiation Step
In the initiation step, the ether will undergo homolytic cleavage of one of its C-H bonds due to the energy from light. This results in the formation of a free radical:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OCH}_2\text{CH}_3 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{O}^\cdot + \text{H}^\cdot \]

### Step 4: Propagation Step
In the propagation step, the free radical reacts with molecular oxygen (O2) present in the air. The oxygen molecule can also be cleaved to form two oxygen radicals:
\[ \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{O}^\cdot \]

Then, the ether free radical can react with one of the oxygen radicals:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{O}^\cdot + \text{O}^\cdot \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{O-O}^\cdot \]

### Step 5: Formation of Peroxide
The product formed from the reaction between the ether free radical and the oxygen radical is an alkoxy radical, which can further react with another ether molecule or oxygen to form a peroxide:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{O-OCH}_2\text{CH}_3 \]

This compound is known as an ether peroxide.

### Step 6: Conclusion
Thus, when ether is exposed to air, the product formed is an ether peroxide.

### Final Answer
The product formed when ether is exposed to air is an ether peroxide.

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