Diethyl ether peroxide

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Diethyl ether hydroperoxide

Identifiers
CAS number	18321-53-4
ChemSpider	19985446^Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1 Image 2
SMILES CCOC(OO)C CC(OCC)OO
InChI InChI=1S/C4H10O3/c1-3-6-4(2)7-5/h4-5H,3H2,1-2H3^Y Key: CXWWPQGYBJCHJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N^Y InChI=1/C4H10O3/c1-3-6-4(2)7-5/h4-5H,3H2,1-2H3 Key: CXWWPQGYBJCHJL-UHFFFAOYAS
Properties
Molecular formula	C₄H₁₀O₃
Molar mass	106.12 g/mol
Density	1.005 g/cm³
Boiling point	62 - 64 °C at 18.7 hPa (reduced pressure)
Hazards
Main hazards	Explosive
NFPA 704	4 2 4
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Diethyl ether peroxides are a class of organic peroxides that slowly form in diethyl ether upon storage under air, light, or in the presence of metal by autoxidation.

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide (CH₃-CH₂-O-CH(OOH)-CH₃) is a colorless liquid of low viscosity with a pleasant smell. Upon heating it weakly deflagrates, resulting in a fog of acetic acid and water. Diethyl ether hydroperoxide decomposes in the presence of sodium hydroxide and Fe²⁺-containing salts.

Diethyl ether peroxide

Diethyl ether peroxide, also known as ethylidene peroxide, (-CH(CH₃)OO-)_n is a polymerization product of diethyl ether hydroperoxide. It is a colorless oily liquid that is an extremely brisant and friction sensitive explosive material. Amounts of less than 5 milligrams can damage chemical apparatuses. The dangerous properties of ether peroxides are the reason that diethyl ether and other peroxide forming ethers like tetrahydrofuran (THF) or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (1,2-dimethoxyethane) are avoided in industrial processes.

Tests

Diethyl ether peroxides can be detected with potassium iodide (KI) solution or potassium iodide / starch paper. A positive test results in the formation of iodine (I₂) that causes a pink color of the ether phase or a dark bluish spot on the paper strip.

Degradation

Ether peroxides can be destroyed by disproportionation to acetaldehyde with Fe²⁺ or Mn²⁺ ions or with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃). The resulting aldehyde has to be removed to prevent a rapid back-formation of peroxides.

References

A. Rieche, R. Meister, Modellversuche zur Autoxidation der Äther, Angewandte Chemie 49(5):106 (1936) (German)

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