Question

The IUPAC name of dimethyl ether is ______.

Options

• Ethoxy methane

• Methoxy methane

• Methoxy ethane

• Ethoxy ethane

Answer 1

The IUPAC name of dimethyl ether is methoxy methane.

Explanation:

Dimethyl ether has the chemical formula \[\ce{CH3 - O - CH3}\], consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to two identical methyl (–CH₃) groups. Under standard IUPAC nomenclature rules for ethers, the compound is named as an alkoxyalkane. In this structure, one methyl group and the oxygen act as the alkoxy substituent (methoxy), while the remaining single-carbon group forms the parent alkane chain (methane), giving the name methoxy methane.