Ethylene oxide

 

Ethylene oxide

Chemical formula	C2H4O
OTP appearance	colorless gas
Molar Mass(g/mol)	44.05
Density(g/cc)	0.000882
Melting Point(°C)	-111.3
Boiling Point(°C)	10.7
Solubility in water(g/L)	misc
Immediate Danger to Life and Health	800ppm
NFPA 704	4 3 3

Uses

Primary

• Industrial chemical

Natural occurrence

• does not occur naturally

Hazards

• Extremely flammable

Production

Synthesis

• Dechlorinate 2-chloroethanol using an alkalai hydroxide:

  HOCH₂CH₂Cl + NaOH

  {

  →

  warm}

  C₂H₄O + NaCl + H₂O

• Partially oxidize ethylene with (limited) air over a silver, copper, iron, or alloy of those at elevated temperatures

  2 C₂H₄ + O₂

  {Ag/Cu/Fe

  →

  150-300°C}

  2 C₂H₄O