Question

Why do ethers have relatively low boiling points?

Answer 1

Because of the absence of hydrogen bonding.....

Explanation:

An alcohol has an hydroxyl functional group....and this offers the possibility of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, the which certainly elevates the boiling point.

On the other hand, while ethers have some polarity in the `RCH_2-O-CH_2R`, function, such dipolar interactions are a step reduced from that which occurs in hydrogen bonding. The result? Water, methanol, and ethanol all have normal boiling points that are remarkably high for such small molecules....