Which of the following compounds is classified as an $\mathrm{ether}$?

• A. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-O-{\mathrm{CH}}_3$
• B. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{COOH}$
• C. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-\mathrm{OH}$
• D. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{CO}-{\mathrm{CH}}_3$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of an ether. An ether is an organic compound where an oxygen atom is connected to two alkyl or aryl groups, represented generally as R-O-R', where R and R' are carbon-containing groups.
2. Step 2: Examine each given compound to identify the functional groups present. Look for the oxygen atom bonded to two carbon groups without any other functional groups like -OH (alcohol), -COOH (carboxylic acid), or -CO- (carbonyl).
3. Step 3: For the compound \(CH_3-O-CH_3\), note that the oxygen is bonded to two methyl groups, fitting the ether structure R-O-R'.
4. Step 4: For the compound \(CH_3-COOH\), recognize this as a carboxylic acid due to the -COOH group, not an ether.
5. Step 5: For the compound \(CH_3-CH_2-OH\), identify this as an alcohol because of the -OH group attached to an alkyl chain, not an ether.