Among common laboratory solvents, ethers are remarkably unreactive towards many strong reagents. Whi — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Ethers (like diethyl ether) contain extremely poor leaving groups (alkoxide ions, $RO^-$). They do not possess an electrophilic carbonyl carbon or an acidic proton. Consequently, they are entirely inert to strong bases and nucleophiles like hydroxyl ions ($OH^-$).