| β-Propiolactone | |
|---|---|
|
oxetan-2-one |
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Other names
Propiolactone |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 57-57-8 |
| ChemSpider | 2275 |
| UNII | 6RC3ZT4HB0 |
| KEGG | D05630 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:49073 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1200627 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C3H4O2 |
| Molar mass | 72.06 g/mol |
| Appearance | colorless liquid |
| Odor | pungent, acrylic |
| Density | 1.146 g/cm3 |
| Melting point |
-33.4 °C |
| Boiling point |
162 °C (dec.) |
| Solubility in water | soluble |
| Solubility | miscible in organic solvents |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4131 |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
β-Propiolactone is an organic compound of the lactone family, with a four-membered ring. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a slightly sweet odor, highly soluble in water and miscible with ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether and chloroform.[1][2] The word propiolactone usually refers to this compound, although it may also refer to α-propiolactone.
β-Propiolactone is "reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen" (IARC, 1999).[1] It was once widely used in the manufacture of acrylic acid and its esters, but its use has been mostly phased out in favor of safer and less expensive alternatives. β-Propiolactone is a disinfectant and has been used to sterilize blood plasma, vaccines, tissue grafts, surgical instruments, and enzymes.[1] The principal current use of propiolactone is an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemical compounds.
β-Propiolactone will slowly react with water and hydrolyse to produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid (hydracryclic acid).