
Jose M. answered 12/17/20
24/7 Tutor. Exam Help, Organic Chemist, Teacher, Tutor 5+ years
Ethers have the chemical formula R-O-R. As the R groups become large on the O the nonpolar character of the molecule increases. This prevents water to solvate the overall molecule. Additionally, The oxygen does not have a hydrogen attached to it and cannot act as a hydrogen bond donor to water.