Lewis Structure Generator
Dimethyl Ether · CH₃OCH₃

CH₃OCH₃ Lewis Structure

Oxygen forms two single bonds and retains two lone pairs, creating a bent C–O–C arrangement.

Open CH₃OCH₃ in the generatorSee drawing steps
CH₃OCH₃
CH₃—O—CH₃
Reviewed stored connectivity; detailed electron placement is explained below
Total valence electrons20
Reviewed connectivityCH₃—O—CH₃
GeometryBent at oxygen; tetrahedral at carbon
Support levelReviewed guide

Dimethyl Ether overview

The stored Lewis connectivity is CH₃—O—CH₃. Oxygen forms two single bonds and retains two lone pairs, creating a bent C–O–C arrangement.

How to draw CH₃OCH₃

  1. Count 20 valence electrons. Include charge adjustments before drawing.
  2. Use the reviewed connectivity CH₃—O—CH₃. Do not infer a different isomer from the formula alone.
  3. Place the required single, double or multiple bonds. Keep a running electron total.
  4. Complete terminal valence shells and add lone pairs or formal charges. Oxygen forms two single bonds and retains two lone pairs, creating a bent C–O–C arrangement.
  5. Verify the total electron count and geometry. The reviewed geometry is Bent at oxygen; tetrahedral at carbon.

Why this example matters

Oxygen forms two single bonds and retains two lone pairs, creating a bent C–O–C arrangement.

Scope and model limits

Dimethyl ether and ethanol share the formula C₂H₆O but have different connectivity and properties.

Common mistakes

  • Adding an O–H bond
  • Forgetting oxygen lone pairs
  • Confusing the structure with ethanol

Last reviewed: 2026-07-16. Educational reference only; verify graded work with course materials.