Difference between revisions of "Ethylene glycol"

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Ethylene glycol or ethane-1,2-diol is an organic chemical compound, used as an antifreeze in cars.

Properties

Chemical

Ethylene glycol will react to form polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Physical

Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, syrupy, sweet-tasting liquid. It is miscible in water and soluble in many organic solvents.

Availability

Car antifreeze contain ethylene glycol, in varying percentages. Purification is complicated by EG's high boiling point and various additives present in the antifreeze. The dyes and other particulates can be removed by filtering EG through activated charcoal. Despite its high boiling point, ethylene glycol can be safely distilled at atmospheric pressure in a simple distillation setup without noticeable oxidizing or decomposing, though due to its viscosity, it may bump or foam during distillation.^[1]

Preparation

Ethylene glycol can be prepared by reacting ethylene oxide with water.

Projects

• Make 2-Chloroethanol
• Make ethylene oxide
• Make 1,4-Dioxane
• Make polyethylene glycol

Handling

Safety

Ethylene glycol is toxic. Due to its sweet taste it has been involved in many accidental poisonings. Because of that, many products containing ethylene glycol also contain bitter taste additives.

Storage

Should be stored in closed bottles.

Disposal

Ethylene glycol can be safely burned.

References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HozuEkMgyoU

Relevant Sciencemadness threads