Proof of Concept: Is Small-Scale Production of Diethyl Ether for Anesthetic Use Possible?

Clinicians face numerous challenges when providing effective anesthesia in the setting of humanitarian crisis or armed conflict. Anesthetic supply limitations often stand as a critical gap in these environments. Due to its clinical safety profile and relatively simple production, diethyl ether (Et2O) may offer a solution in such situations. Methods The dehydration of ethanol using an acid-catalyzed reaction was conducted twice. Sulfuric acid was added to a solution of ethanol in a glass flask that was heated to approximately 145 °C, promoting the formation of diethyl ether and water. At this temperature, diethyl ether was isolated from the solution through fractional distillation and collected in a flask that was cooled in an ice bath. The distillate was analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Results Two samples of diethyl ether were obtained using an acid-promoted dehydration of ethanol. Analysis of the samples using 1H NMR spectroscopy led to the identification of two components, diethyl ether and ethanol, whose identities were confirmed by comparison of the constituent peaks to known chemical shifts. Integration of the relevant peaks suggested a diethyl ether purity of approximately 97%. Discussion This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that relatively pure diethyl ether can feasibly be produced and isolated on a small scale using an acid-catalyzed dehydration reaction with fractional distillation.