Final answer:
Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to a carbon atom, such as in ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) and methanol (CH₃OH). Ethers have two alkyl or aryl groups attached to an oxygen atom, like dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃) and diethyl ether (CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃). Dehydration of alcohols can lead to ether formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand and write the correct structures for alcohols and ethers, we must know that these compounds contain an oxygen atom bonded to carbon and hydrogen atoms. An alcohol is a compound where a hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to a carbon atom. For example, ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) is a simple alcohol with two carbon atoms and a hydroxyl group bonded to the second carbon. Another example is methanol (CH₃OH), with only one carbon atom and a hydroxyl group.
In contrast, an ether has two alkyl or aryl groups attached to an oxygen atom. A simple example is dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃) where two methyl groups are connected by an oxygen atom. Diethyl ether (CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃), with two ethyl groups on either side of the oxygen atom, is another example of an ether.
The dehydration reaction between two alcohol molecules can result in the formation of an ether. For instance, when ethanol dehydrates, it can form diethyl ether.