Diphenyl ether, which first attracted attention in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is an organic compound that belongs to the organic ether functional group with a molecular formula of C12H10O. Also called 1,1'-oxybisbenzene, biphenyl oxide, diphenyl oxide, phenyl oxide, phenyl ether or phenoxybenzene, diphenyl ether consists of two phenyl rings linked by an oxygen atom. The structural formula appears in Figure 1. Phenyl rings, C6H5, are extremely similar to benzene rings, C6H6, and differ only in that they are bonded to a different atom than hydrogen on one vertex of the cycle. Thus, diphenyl ether undergoes reactions common to phenyl rings and ring structures in general. Until recently, diphenyl ether did not possess any interesting properties worth exploring by scientists, but current research focuses on the application of this chemical in converting solar energy into energy. usable as a means of renewable energy. This particular organic compound represents an anomaly of the ether functional group, participating in various chemical reactions and having industrial application in addition to being a solvent. The majority of chemical reactions associated with diphenyl ether involve the structures of the organic compound's two phenyl rings due to the lack of reactivity typically associated with ethers. Ethers generally make excellent solvents due to their characteristic lack of reactivity. However, diphenyl ether participates in interesting reactions despite the stereotype. Above all, the formation of diphenyl ether results mainly from a deviation in the synthesis of Williamson Ether. These general reactions "involve an alkoxide that reacts with a primary haloalkane or a...... middle of paper ......the scientific committee on occupational exposure limits for diphenyl ether.Health Council of the Netherlands Committee of Updated Occupational Exposure Limits. (2005, October). Diphenyl ether. Patel, K. (nd). Williamson ether synthesis. Retrieved from http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Organic_Chemistry/Ethers/Synthesis_of_Ethers/Williamson_Ether_SynthesisPhenyl ether MSDS. (nd). In Safety Data Sheet (pp. 1-5). Summary of the action plan for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). (April 9, 2013). Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/pbde.html Synthetic organic heat transfer fluid—liquid and vapor phase data. (2001, November). Dow Chemical Company. U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2008, February). Mechanism of hydrogen formation in parabolic trough solar receivers (L. Moens & D. Blake, authors).