Making Diethyl Ether

Warning: Ether is extremely flammable. This must only be carried out in an extremely well ventilated area.

The final product likely still has a little bit of a water in it. I would suggest adding more drying agent or molecular sieves if you need it to be anhydrous.

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[nevermorefarm]

I worked in a health sciences lab for years and...I am in awe of your level of understanding, and quite happy to see your impeccably clean and well laid out work area. I'm not brave enough to try, but this was very informative!

[rattlesnakz]

Before the surgery, the anesthesiologist offered to knock me out with gas or a boat paddle...
It was an ether/oar situation.

[morlasa]

“The only thing that really worried me was the ether. There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge. And I knew we'd get into that rotten stuff pretty soon. Probably at the next gas station.”

[Dylan-lezi]

The best videos always start with a long drawn out explanation of how dangerous the upcoming content is and should only be done by professional. Then proceed to show parents garage set up. God I love the early days, I’m glad you reference it from time to time. Love all the content you produce man.

[flaviochavez]

Now I can finally go to Vegas with my Apple red convertible, Samoan attorney, and a suitcase full of drugs (once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far you can) .

[TheBackyardScientist]

Hey nile, what kind of camera do you use?

[johnathanrendon]

Imagine being a scientist in the old days having to make this with a bunsen burner....

[kingburrito]

Definition of Ether: The shit that make your soul burn slow

[SEHall-ztdz]

“The only thing that really worried me was the ether. There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge. And I knew we'd get into that rotten stuff pretty soon."

~Hunter S. Thompson

[flippatheshippa]

Alright get your rags ready and your lungs

[jonohoff]

You do some bad ass experiments man!  I've been having a good old time geeking out and learning from them!

[Bloated_Tony_Danza]

You should distill automotive gasoline into various fractions! Then examine the properties of said fractions. I think that would be interesting.

[DonKynos]

"“The only thing that really worried me was the ether. There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge."

[skillerpro]

Thanks, my favorite recreational drug, and now i can make at home!!!

[miamama]

I like it how the video picture says diehtyl ether

[Aztesticals]

O used to make ether in collage in the chem prep lab. Noone not even teachers ever questioned the reaction. Poured it into a bong.

[paulgrosse]

Remember that you need to a a few ppm of pyrogallol or hydroquinone to the finished ether to prevent peroxide build-up.

[kiltmaster]

At 2:00, you mention that the reaction takes place at 140-145C.
However, water boils at 100C, and ethanol boils at 78C.
Therefore, how do you heat the mixture to 140-145C without the whole lot just evaporating?

[stevs]

Beautifully clean glassware, what tips do you have to keep your glassware in such pristine condition?

[xobotun_]

Huh, I must say that Nile has certainly has improved in both his lab, video editing skills and acting.
Like at 3:33 he says he won't show us the washing for the sake of saving viewer's time. This may be true for a real chemist that knows what washing procedure includes, but an ordinary person does not. And Neil's latter videos for sure show how to shake and vent the separatory funnel, so even I could remember the steps (probably). And now I can watch this old video and understand why he adds sand and how carefully he shakes this funnel. :D