Final answer:
Oxygenated fuels containing compounds like ethanol or ethers increase the oxygen content, which can lead to more efficient combustion and reduced emissions. Ethers are characterized by a functional group -O- and are often named by their alkyl groups. Despite the lower energy density, oxygenated fuels are part of efforts to create more sustainable and less polluting fuel alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygenated fuels incorporate substances like alcohol (ethanol) and ethers that contain higher oxygen content compared to regular fuels. When added to gasoline, ethanol can improve combustion and reduce certain emissions such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, though it may increase pollution from other substances. Ethers like methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) have also been used to enhance engine performance by improving the efficiency of gasoline combustion.
Ethers are characterized by their functional group -O- and often have common names that feature the alkyl groups attached to the oxygen. While MTBE has faced environmental concerns leading to its phase-out, ethers and alcohols continue to play a role in efforts to make transportation more fuel-efficient. Vehicles like fuel-cell vehicles (FCV) that run on hydrogen offer impressive efficiency and lower emissions, displaying the ongoing exploration for better fuel options.
Substituting part of traditional gasoline with oxygenated compounds can lower energy performance due to the lower energy density of compounds like ethanol, but it's an essential aspect of creating less polluting and more sustainable fuel options.