Ethylene oxide,CAS75-21-8

Ethylene oxide is the simplest cyclic ether. It is a colorless gas or liquid and has a sweet, etheric odor. Ethylene oxide is a flammable, very reactive and explosive chemical substance. On decomposition, vapors of pure ethylene oxide mix with air or inert gases and become highly explosive. Ethylene oxide, is used in large scale as an intermediate in the production of monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, poly(ethylene) glycols, ethylene glycol ethers, ethanolamine, ethoxy

Ethylene oxide Use and Manufacturing

1. Used as organic chemical raw material and solvent, mainly used to produce ethylene glycol, ethanolamine and non-ionic surfactant. 2. Ethylene oxide has a bactericidal effect, it does not corrode metals and has no residual odor, so it can be used as a gas sterilant for materials. Generally, ethylene oxide-carbon dioxide (the ratio of the two is 90:10) or a mixture of ethylene oxide-dichlorodifluoromethane is mainly used for disinfection of hospitals and precision instruments. Fumigants for ethylene oxide are often used for the preservation of grain and food. For example, in the storage of dried egg powder, it is often decomposed by the action of bacteria. Fumigation treatment with ethylene oxide can prevent deterioration. The chemical composition of egg powder, including amino acids, is not affected. 3. Ethylene oxide easily interacts with acids. Therefore, it can be added as an antacid in certain substances to reduce the acidity of these substances or use it for a long time without generating acidity. For example, in the production of chlorinated butyl rubber, if the solution of the copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene is added to ethylene oxide before chlorination, the finished product can be completely free of alkaline washing and water washing.