Difference Between Ester and Ether

Ester and Ether are functional classes that are used to classify organic chemical compounds. Esters are prepared via the process of esterification. The main difference between ether and ester lies in their structure. An ester group needs two oxygen atoms and two carbon atoms to complete its characteristic structure while an ether group needs only one Oxygen atom and two Carbon atoms for its structure. The various other differences between ether and ester are given below in a tabular column.

Ester vs Ether

Ester Ether
Easily polarizable due to the presence of the carbonyl group Doesn’t contain a carbonyl group
Derived from carboxylic acids Derived from alcohol
Esters have the functional group –COO Ethers have the functional group –O-
Esters do not have symmetrical structures due to the presence of the carbonyl group Ethers can have a symmetrical structure if both alkyl groups on either side of the oxygen atom in an ether group are similar
A double bond between carbon and oxygen atom A single bond between carbon and oxygen atom
Ethyl propanoate is one of the examples of ester Dimethyl ether is one of the examples of ether