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14.6: Autoxidation of Ethers

  • Page ID
    183039
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    Over time ethers that are exposed to air will autoxidize to peroxides which are potentially explosive. The general reaction is shown below.

    ch 15 sect 6 generic.png

    For example, diisopropyl ether will autoxidize to the products shown in the reaction below.

    ch 15 sect 6 example.png

    How to avoid explosions.

    1. buy ether in small quantities
    2. keep containers tightly sealed
    3. use opened containers promptly
    4. discard suspect containers

    14.6: Autoxidation of Ethers is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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