PrimoPyro:
Are all ethers created equally with concern to these properties? For example, the contrast between diethyl ether, THF, Dioxane, and dimethyl ether.
Not quite. Dimethyl Ether is a gas, and therefore not used as a solvent. Diethyl Ether, THF, Diisopropyl Ether, and Methyl tert-Butyl Ether can pretty much be used interchangably. Dioxane is mainly used as a reaction solvent, and not for extractions due to it's high B.P. and carcinogenicy.
Diethyl ether is something I'd rather not purchase, as it is List II here, but THF or Dioxane, don't seem to have any stigma.
And as a last quickie question, that is very very important: Is dry dioxane ether suitable for the Grignard Reaction? Would there be any problems due to its use that you know of? Dioxane is very easy to make. I will not buy diethyl ether, and THF is kind of expensive.
Why not buy Ether? It doesn't have that much of a stigma. Et
2O is used in large quantities in every lab that swim has worked in or seen. It is a VERY common and necessary solvent.
Yes, Dioxane is a very good solvent for Grignard reactions. However, it is a really powerful carcinogen. Ether is virtually non-toxic, you can spill it on yourself, breath it, hell, even drink it in small amounts (not recommended though). THF is a little more toxic, but still pretty innocuous. But heed my warnings about Dioxane, it is a very nasty carcinogen. Watch out.