Epichlorohydrin

Colorless, chloroform -like fruity -smelling liquid

Liquid

1.18 g · cm -3 ( 20 ° C)

-48 ° C

116 ° C.

16 hPa ( 20 ° C)

• Moderately in water ( 60 g · l -1)
• Soluble in benzene, carbon tetrachloride, diethyl ether and ethanol

1.4358 (25 ° C)

Risk

-148.4 KJ / mol

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Epichlorohydrin is a water-clear, odor of chloroform, mobile liquid. It has been found in animal studies clearly carcinogenic, therefore can not specify a MAK value. Most epichlorohydrin is synthesized as a racemate or used as starting material. If the name is spoken, without further components of epichlorohydrin, the racemate [ 1:1 mixture of (R )-epichlorohydrin and (S )-epichlorohydrin ] is always meant. The pure enantiomers are well known, but have little meaning.

Production and representation

The conventional production of epichlorohydrin is carried out by the reaction of allyl chloride with hypochlorous acid to 1,3- dichloro -propan- 2-ol and 2,3- dichloropropan -1-ol

And subsequent treatment with sodium hydroxide ( NaOH) to epichlorohydrin.

Another way of production is based on the use of glycerol (eg from biodiesel production ), which is also hydrochloric acid to 1,3- dichloro- propan-2 -ol, and subsequently reacted with NaOH to epichlorohydrin. In these reactions, epichlorohydrin is obtained as a racemate.

Properties

Chemical Properties

Epichlorohydrin reacts rapidly with nucleophilic compounds such as amines, with opening of the epoxide ring. Under suitable reaction conditions, reacts with the elimination of chlorine with formation of a new epoxide. It is therefore used by the industry for the introduction of epoxy resins in example.

Use

Epichlorohydrin was used until a few years ago to a large extent for the production of glycerol and glycidol, but the proportion of synthetic glycerol production decreased due to the large amounts of glycerol that are incurred by the biodiesel production is falling sharply.

Especially as a component for the production of epoxy resins, which are in addition to their use as materials used as wet strength agents in the production of paper (e.g., in the manufacture of tea bag paper and paper towel ), as well as a two-component adhesive (bisphenol A resins), plays epichlorohydrin a major role. Moreover, it is a component of synthetic elastomers which are used in the production of tires ( epoxy rubber), and textile auxiliaries such as polyamide-epichlorohydrin polymer Hercosett, which is used as a shrinkage inhibitor in textiles.

Safety

Epichlorohydrin is toxic and carcinogenic. It can diffuse through intact skin.

Proof

The substance can be detected by detector tubes, gas chromatography or PID sensor.