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Basic information of epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin

Product Name: Epichlorohydrin

CAS number: 106-89-8

Molecular formula: C3H5ClO

Molecular weight: 92.52

Epichlorohydrin, a colorless oily liquid, emits a pungent odor similar to ether and chloroform. It is highly flammable and volatile, while also possessing certain toxicity and anesthetic properties. Its relative density is 1.1812, melting point is -25.6 ℃, and boiling point is as high as 117.9 ℃.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Epichlorohydrin is a flammable, colorless oily liquid with a pungent odor. Its density is 1.1812, melting point is -25.6 ℃, and boiling point is 117.9 ℃. This chemical substance is miscible with various organic solvents such as ethanol, propanol, ether, chloroform, acetone, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride. It is also easily soluble in benzene but slightly soluble in water. Due to the presence of active chlorine atoms and epoxy groups in its molecular structure, epichlorohydrin exhibits highly reactive chemical properties.

During hydrolysis, it will first be converted to alpha chloroglycerol, and then further generate glycerol. In addition, it can also undergo ring opening reactions to produce propylene glycol and propylene glycol; Reacting with alcohols and phenols can generate ethers; Reacting with amine substances will form glycidyl amine; Reacting with carboxylic acids can generate corresponding esters. In addition, epichlorohydrin also has the ability to self polymerize and can react with aldehydes (or ketones) to produce dioxane.

▍ Product Usage

Epichlorohydrin has a wide range of applications in the chemical industry. It is an important intermediate for the synthesis of glycerol, as well as a major raw material for the production of epoxy resin, fiberglass, and electrical insulation products. In addition, it is also used to prepare mixtures of cellulose esters, resins, and cellulose ethers.

Furthermore, epichlorohydrin is also a key raw material for the production of surfactants, pesticides, coatings, adhesives, ion exchange resins, plasticizers, glycerol derivatives, glycidyl derivatives, and chlorohydrin rubber. It is worth mentioning that epoxy resins mainly composed of epichlorohydrin and bisphenol A are widely used in fields such as coatings, adhesives, reinforcement materials, and casting materials due to their high adhesion, small shrinkage, excellent chemical corrosion resistance, and stability.

Chlorohydrin rubber synthesized from epichlorohydrin as a raw material, as a new type of rubber, has excellent properties such as not easily expanding in general oils and solvents, and maintaining high flexibility at low temperatures without plasticizers. Some functions even surpass nitrile, chloroprene, and butyl rubber.

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Safety and Storage

▍ Hazardous characteristics

Epichlorohydrin is a flammable gas that becomes explosive when mixed with air at a certain concentration. Encountering open flames, high temperatures, or oxidants can all trigger combustion, and toxic chloride smoke can be produced during the combustion process.

Storage requirements

To ensure the safe storage of epichlorohydrin, it is necessary to package it in a 240KG container and ensure good ventilation and low-temperature drying in the warehouse. Meanwhile, it must be stored separately from oxidants and acidic substances to prevent accidents from occurring.