1,3,5-Trioxane

Flammable, white solid with ethanol -like odor

Fixed

1.17 g · cm -3 ( 65 ° C)

62 ° C

115 ° C

11 hPa ( 20 ° C)

Well in water (221 ​​g · l-1 at 25 ° C)

2.08 (2 ) D ( 6.9 × 10-30 C · m)

Risk

• 8190 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)
• > 3980 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, Rabbit, transdermal)

-522.5 KJ / mol

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Trioxane is a heterocyclic compound selected from the substance group of acetals formed by the trimerization of formaldehyde. The IUPAC name is 1,3,5- Trioxacyclohexan or shortly 1,3,5- trioxane. The cyclic trimers of other aldehydes are called trioxanes.

Synthesis, Properties and Applications

The preparation of trioxane is done by acid catalysis by a trimerization of formaldehyde. The highly flammable substance forms colorless needles, which dissolve readily in water, alcohol and ether. When heated to 150 to 200 ° C in the presence of water, trioxane depolymerizes back to monomeric formaldehyde. This is especially the case of improper storage of dry fuels containing trioxane, a potential risk, see Esbit. Because of the catalytic effect of basic substances cleaners are especially important to keep separate from dry fuels.

Trioxane is used in the manufacture of polyacetal resins. Also in syntheses start from formaldehyde and this need in a very pure form, trioxane.

Safety

Trioxane is very flammable. The vapors are explosive when mixed with air in the wide concentration range of 3.6 to 29 Balance %. Trioxane irritates the skin, mucous membranes and eyes and inhalation of vapors may cause damage to the respiratory tract and the central nervous system.