Epoxy Compounds—Olefin Oxides (Ethylene Oxide, Propylene Oxide, and Miscellaneous Oxides)

Abstract

This chapter discusses the chemistry, uses, health information, and industrial hygiene handling procedures of epoxides, that is, substances containing strained, three‐membered rings with two adjacent carbons and one oxygen atom. This functionality underlies epoxides' high reactivity, physicochemical properties, and toxicity. The majority of the content is dedicated to ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, but other epoxides are also of industrial interest and are described here; their databases have evolved over the last couple of decades and this new understanding is highlighted here. These are 1,2‐butylene oxide, 2,3‐epoxybutane, butadiene diepoxide, vinylcyclohexene monoxide, vinylcyclohexene dioxide, and styrene oxide.