Question

Why is ethyl alcohol more viscous than ether? What role does the hydrogen bonding plays?

Answer 1

Answer: Because its molecules can slide around each other, a liquid has the ability to flow. The resistance to such flow is called the viscosity. Liquids which flow very slowly, like glycerin or honey, have high viscosities. Those like ether or gasoline which flow very readily have low viscosities.

Answer 2

strength and number of hydrogen bonding in ether is less than alcohol due to less polarised structure, steric hindrance and no direct O-H bonds are present.