An epoxide is a cyclic ether which contains a three atom ring that approximates an equilateral triangle. These are highly reactive when compared to other ethers. The fundamental structure of an epoxide contains two carbon atoms of a hydrocarbon attached to an oxygen atom. The structure can be chemically shown as
Economically Ethylene oxide is the most important epoxide and is created by the oxidation of ethylene over a silver catalyst. It is used as a fumigant and to make ethylene glycol, antifreeze and other useful compounds.
Epoxide- Synthesis
Epoxide can be synthesized in many ways. Propylene oxide and Ethylene oxide are the two epoxides that are produced on a large scale, approximately 3 and 15 tonnes/year respectively.
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Heterogeneously Catalyzed oxidation of alkenes
When ethylene reacts with oxygen under a silver catalyst, the epoxide is formed. According to stoichiometry, it can be chemically expressed as
7 H2C=CH2 + 6 O2 → 6 C2H4O + 2 CO2 + 2 H2O
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Homogeneously catalysed asymmetric epoxidation
Chiral epoxides can be made from prochiral alkenes. A lot of metal complexes act as active catalysts and the most important among them are vanadium, molybdenum and titanium.
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Nucleophilic epoxidation
Electron deficient olefins can be epoxidized using compounds such as peroxides. This reaction has two steps: firstly, the nucleophilic conjugate is added to an oxygen atom to give a stabilized carbanion.
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Biosynthesis
Epoxides are not common in nature. They are produced generally by oxygenation of alkenes.
Epoxides- Uses or applications
- Ethylene epoxide has many uses including the generation of surfactants and detergents.
- Epoxy glues and structural materials are a result of epoxide’s reaction with amines.
- It is used as a stabilizer in materials like PVC. They are also used in the manufacture of Epoxy resists that have low viscosity and without compromising strength and physical properties.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Define epoxides.
What is nucleophilic epoxidation?
What are the uses of epoxidation?
Generation of detergents and surfactants.
It is used as a stabilizer in different forms of materials like polyvinyl chloride.
They are also useful in a few things for instance aerosols, resins and also in chemical intermediates.
Why are certain Epoxides toxic?
Epoxides are also used in things like insecticides, aerosols, resins and chemical intermediates.
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