Electrostatic potential maps diethyl ether-water hydrogen

Hydrogen bonding between diethyl ether and water results from the attractive force between the negatively polarized oxygen of diethyl ether and the positively polarized hydrogen of water. The color ranges of the three electrostatic potential maps are the same. 

Such hydrogen bonding causes ethers to dissolve in water to approximately the same extent as alcohols of similar size and shape. Alkanes cannot engage in hydrogen bonding to water. Figure 16.1 shows electrostatic potential maps of diethyl ether, water, and the hydrogen-bonded complex formed between them. 

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