TRIMETHYLENE OXIDE Property

Melting point:

-97°C

Boiling point:

50 °C(lit.)

Density 

0.893 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

vapor pressure 

5.09 psi ( 20 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.392(lit.)

Flash point:

−19 °F

storage temp. 

2-8°C

solubility 

1000g/l

form 

Liquid

color 

Clear colorless

Odor

agreeable odor

explosive limit

2.4%(V)

Water Solubility 

Soluble in water.

Merck 

14,9715

BRN 

102382

CAS DataBase Reference

503-30-0(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Oxetane (503-30-0)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

F,Xn

Risk Statements 

11-20/21/22

Safety Statements 

9-16-26-29

RIDADR 

UN 1993 3/PG 2

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

RQ6825000

F 

3-10-23

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

29329990

Hazardous Substances Data

503-30-0(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

mmo-sat 3333 mg/plate EMMUEG 11(Suppl 12),1,88

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H225Highly Flammable liquid and vapour

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

P233Keep container tightly closed.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P301+P312IF SWALLOWED: call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician IF you feel unwell.

P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water/shower.

TRIMETHYLENE OXIDE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

CLEAR COLOURLESS LIQUID

Uses

Trimethylene oxide useful for the synthesis of 3-substituted propanols by reaction with Grignards or organolithiums in the presence of CuBr.

Definition

ChEBI: A saturated organic heteromonocyclic parent that is a four-membered ring comprising of three carbon atoms and an oxygen atom.

General Description

Clear, colorless liquid with an agreeable aromatic odor.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

TRIMETHYLENE OXIDE reacts with Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds. TRIMETHYLENE OXIDE is also incompatible with oxidizing agents and strong acids. . An explosion occurred when propylene oxide was added to epoxy resin. Polymerization was catalyzed by amine accelerator in the resin [Bretherick 1995]. Propylene oxide and sodium hydroxide base-catalyzed the polymerization of the former, causing ignition and explosion of a drum of the crude product. [Combust Sci. Technol., 1983].

Fire Hazard

TRIMETHYLENE OXIDE is flammable.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by subcutaneous route. May be narcotic in high concentrations. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes

Purification Methods

Distil oxetane twice from sodium metal and then fractionate it through a small column at atmospheric pressure, b 47.0-47.2o. It can also be purified by preparative gas chromatography using a 2m silica gel column. Alternatively, add KOH pellets (50g for 100g of oxetane) and distil it through an efficient column or a column packed with 1/4in Berl Saddles with the main portion boiling at 45-50o being collected and redistilled over fused KOH. [Noller Org Synth Coll Vol III 835 1955, Dittmer et al. J Am Chem Soc 79 4431 1957, Beilstein 17 H 6, 17 I 3, 17 II 12, 17 III/IV 13, 17/1 V 11.]