Oxygen atom in ether is

Options

A. very acitve
B. replaceable
C. acitve
D. comparatively inert.

Explanation

To answer the question about the nature of the oxygen atom in ether, we can break down the explanation into clear steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Ether Structure**:
- Ethers are organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups. The general formula for ethers can be represented as R-O-R', where R and R' are the alkyl groups.

2. **Bonding in Ethers**:
- In ethers, the oxygen atom is attached to two different alkyl groups. This bonding arrangement affects the properties of the ether.

3. **Steric Hindrance**:
- The presence of two bulky alkyl groups around the oxygen atom creates steric hindrance. Steric hindrance refers to the repulsion between the electron clouds of the atoms or groups, which can affect the reactivity of the molecule.

4. **Bond Dissociation Energy**:
- The bond dissociation energy (BDE) is the energy required to break a bond. In ethers, the bond dissociation energy is relatively high due to the stable nature of the C-O bonds formed with the alkyl groups.

5. **Inertness of Oxygen in Ethers**:
- Because of the steric hindrance and the high bond dissociation energy, the oxygen atom in ethers exhibits relatively inert behavior. This means it does not readily participate in chemical reactions compared to other functional groups.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the above points, we conclude that the oxygen atom in ether is comparatively inert due to its bonding with two alkyl groups and the resulting steric hindrance.

### Final Answer:
The oxygen atom in ether is comparatively inert.

---