The class of ether compounds was studied in order to nominate chemicals to the National Cancer Institute as candidates for carcinogen bioassay. After application of several qualifying criteria relating to previous, current, or planned carcinogenlcity tests and to commercial significance, the preliminary candidate list of 323 chemicals was reduced to a list of 176 chemicals. Based upon consideration of both the suspicion of possible carcinogenic activity and evidence indicating potential exposure, the following eight chemicals were nominated: methyleugenol, isoeugenol, 2‐isopropoxyphenyl N‐methylcarbamate, estragole, 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone, tetrahydrofuran, methyl vinyl ether, and diphenyl ether.