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On standing in air and light, diethyl ether slowly forms

  1. Aethanal only, which is harmless
  2. Bexplosive peroxides
  3. Cethyl hydrogen sulphate
  4. Dethylene glycol

Answer: B

Autoxidation at the C-H bond next to oxygen gives hydroperoxides and peroxides, which are explosive on concentration. This is why old ether is tested with /KSCN or treated with ferrous salts before distillation.
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