Autooxidation of Ethers

On storage in contact with atmospheric oxygen, ethers slowly and spontaneously oxidise -- a process called AUTOOXIDATION -- to form hydroperoxides and dialkyl peroxides (e.g. ethoxyethane forms 1-ethoxyethyl hydroperoxide and diethyl peroxide). These peroxides are explosive and can accumulate, unseen, in old bottles of ether -- which is why ethers are stored away from light and air, and why old stock is tested for peroxides (or discarded) before use, espec …