What is a thioether?
Q: What is a thioether?
A: A thioether is a molecule with the group R-S-R, where the first atom in R is a carbon.
Q: How is a thioether different from an ether?
A: Thioethers have a sulfur instead of an oxygen atom between the two R, whereas ethers have an oxygen atom.
Q: Why do thioethers have a bad smell?
A: Thioethers can have very bad smells like thiols.
Q: What is the bond angle in a thioether molecule?
A: The C-S-C bond in a thioether is at nearly 90 degrees.
Q: Where are thioethers found in biology?
A: Thioethers are present in some amino acids and are important in biology.
Q: How can thioethers be made in the laboratory?
A: Thioethers can be made in the laboratory by the reaction of a thiol with a base and an electrophile.
Q: What is the simplest thioether and what is it used for?
A: The simplest thioether is dimethyl sulfide and it is used in important reactions like the Swern oxidation, which makes aldehydes starting from alcohols.
