Diethyl ether

Updated: February 6th, 2010 |

diethyl ether: a colorless, highly volatile, flammable liquid, C₄H₁₀O, having an aromatic odor and sweet, burning taste, derived from ethyl alcohol by the action of sulfuric acid: used as a solvent and, formerly, as an inhalant anesthetic. Also called diethyl oxide, ethyl ether, ethyl oxide, sulfuric ether.