What is the general formula for ethers?

The general formula for ethers is represented as ROR, where "R" stands for an alkyl or aryl group. This formula illustrates that an ether consists of two carbon-containing groups (the R groups) linked by an oxygen atom. Ethers are characterized by the presence of this oxygen atom between the two hydrocarbon chains, which differentiates them from other organic functional groups.

For example, if you have two groups such as ethyl (C2H5), the ether would be diethyl ether, represented by the formula C2H5OC2H5. This structural characteristic is crucial as it informs both the chemical behavior and the applications of ethers in various contexts, including their use as solvents in organic reactions.

The other formulae represent different organic compounds; for instance, RNH2 denotes amines, RCOOH denotes carboxylic acids, and RCHO denotes aldehydes. Each of these groups has distinct functional groups and properties that do not include the defining structure of ethers. Hence, the representation ROR is the correct choice for the general formula of ethers.