What Is Ethyl Ethynyl Ether?
Ethyl ethynyl ether is an ether compound that exists as a gas at room temperature. Its IUPAC name is “ethyl ethynyl ether,” and due to its low boiling point of 10.8 °C, it is transported and stored in gas cylinders at room temperature. It is highly flammable and is classified as a “flammable gas” under various safety regulations.
At concentrations between 2% and 10.1% in air, ethyl ethynyl ether is easily ignited by electric sparks or heating elements. Therefore, it should be handled in well-ventilated areas to prevent accumulation within the flammable range.
Uses of Ethyl Ethynyl Ether
1. Current Main Uses
Ethyl ethynyl ether is utilized in several applications, including as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a synthetic raw material for chemical materials, and an intermediate. It is sometimes used in aerosol sprays due to its gaseous state at room temperature.
When cooled to a liquid, ethyl ethynyl ether can also serve as a solvent for solid-liquid extraction. It quickly volatilizes at room temperature, providing a rapid means of obtaining solid products. However, diethyl ether is often preferred due to its lower cost and ease of handling.
2. Future Application Expansion
Future applications may include its use as a substitute for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Research is ongoing to explore the use of ethers like ethyl ethynyl ether as civilian gas alternatives to LPG, due to their flammability and ability to be stored and transported as liquids when cooled.
Dimethyl ether is currently the most promising candidate for this application, but ethyl ethynyl ether, with similar properties, may also be considered.
Properties of Ethyl Ethynyl Ether
1. Basic Structure and Properties
Ethyl ethynyl ether, with the molecular formula C3H8O, is an ether consisting of an ethyl group and a methyl group bonded together. It is a structural isomer of propanol. Key properties include a molecular weight of 60.1, a specific gravity of 0.725 (as a liquid at 0 °C), and solubility in water, acetone, and chloroform. It is also miscible with ethanol.
2. Industrial Synthesis
Symmetric ethers like diethyl ether are commonly synthesized through the dehydration-condensation reaction of alcohols. However, asymmetric ethers like ethyl ethynyl ether are typically synthesized using the Williamson ether synthesis method, which involves the SN2 reaction of metal alkoxides and haloalkanes. For ethyl ethynyl ether, metal ethoxide, and methyl bromide are used as raw materials.
Other Information on Ethyl Ethynyl Ether
1. Symmetric and Asymmetric Ethers
Ethyl ethynyl ether is an example of an asymmetric ether. Symmetric ethers have two identical alkyl or aryl groups, while asymmetric ethers have two different groups. Examples of symmetric ethers include dimethyl ether and diethyl ether, while asymmetric ethers include ethyl ethynyl ether and anisole.
2. Challenges with Ethyl Ethynyl Ether
The primary challenge with ethyl ethynyl ether lies in its production cost. The Williamson ether synthesis process used for its production is more complex and costly compared to the methods used for producing diethyl ether or dimethyl ether.