Dimethyl ether

The simplest ether and a constitutional isomer of ethanol.

Formula
C2H6O
Molar mass
46.07 g/mol
Also known as
methoxymethane, Methyl ether, Dimethyl oxide, Oxybismethane, Methyl oxide, Methane, oxybis-

Overview

The simplest ether and a constitutional isomer of ethanol.

Oxygen joins two methyl groups. Its absence of O–H changes hydrogen bonding and oxidation chemistry compared with alcohols.

Identifiers

Formula
C2H6O
Molar mass
46.07 g/mol
Also known as
methoxymethane, Methyl ether, Dimethyl oxide, Oxybismethane, Methyl oxide, Methane, oxybis-
Chemical identifiers
SMILES
COC
InChI
InChI=1S/C2H6O/c1-3-2/h1-2H3
PubChem CID
8254

Properties

Melting Point
-141.5 °C
Boiling Point
-24.82 °C
Density
1.91855 g/L at 1 atm and 25 °C
Water solubility
In water, 4.6X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C

Related compounds

  • Ethers

    Dimethyl ether is a specific member of the ethers family.

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary: Dimethyl ether (CID 8254)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem

    Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.

  2. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Names and properties of ethersJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

    Supports the qualitative structure and reactivity context; identity and numerical measurements retain their original references.

  3. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Dimethyl ether — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8254#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 1084

  4. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Dimethyl ether — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8254#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 1084

  5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Dimethyl ether — densityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8254#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 1084

  6. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Dimethyl ether — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8254#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Hine J, Mookerjee PK; J Org Chem 40: 292-8 (1975)