Ethylene oxide
CAS 75-21-8
EC 200-849-9
Formula C2H4O
MW 44.05 g/mol
Monomers & Building Blocks Plastics & PolymersAgriculture & FeedTextile, Leather & PaperPharmaceuticals & HealthcarePersonal Care & Cosmetics Polymerization InitiationPreservation & BiocideSolvent & Carrier
Description
Ethylene oxide (CAS 75-21-8, EC 200-849-9, formula C2H4O) is a cyclic ether also known as oxirane, with trade names including Anprolene and Amprolene. It carries no assigned E-code. It is classified under HS code 29101000 and belongs to the monomers and building blocks category.
In plastics and polymers manufacturing, ethylene oxide undergoes ring-opening polymerization to produce polyethylene glycols and ethoxylated surfactants used in textiles, personal care, and agrochemical formulations. In pharmaceutical and healthcare settings, it functions as a low-temperature sterilant, disrupting microbial DNA to achieve validated sterility on heat-sensitive medical devices and packaging.
Ethylene oxide is supplied as a compressed liquefied gas in cylinders or pressurized bulk containers, requiring ADR-compliant transport and storage. It falls under REACH regulation and is subject to strict occupational exposure limits across EU member states. Procurement teams should confirm supplier SDS documentation and authorization status prior to ordering.
In plastics and polymers manufacturing, ethylene oxide undergoes ring-opening polymerization to produce polyethylene glycols and ethoxylated surfactants used in textiles, personal care, and agrochemical formulations. In pharmaceutical and healthcare settings, it functions as a low-temperature sterilant, disrupting microbial DNA to achieve validated sterility on heat-sensitive medical devices and packaging.
Ethylene oxide is supplied as a compressed liquefied gas in cylinders or pressurized bulk containers, requiring ADR-compliant transport and storage. It falls under REACH regulation and is subject to strict occupational exposure limits across EU member states. Procurement teams should confirm supplier SDS documentation and authorization status prior to ordering.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -111 °C |
| Boiling Point | 10.7 °C @ Press: 760 Torr |
| Density | 0.882 g/cm³ @ Temp: 10 °C |
| Flash Point | <-17.7°C |
| Appearance | Ethylene oxide is a colorless, compressed, liquefied gas or liquid (below 11℃). Sweet odor; the odor threshold is 50 ppm. |
| Odor | Sweet odor detectable at 257 to 690 ppm |
| Form | Colorless gas |
| Vapor Pressure | 1095 mmHg at 20 °C |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.3597(lit.) |
| Log P | -0.30 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Danger GHS02 GHS05 GHS06 GHS08 GHS04 GHS07 GHS09
H
H220H230H280H301H302H314H315H317H318H319H331H335H336H340H350H360H370H372H373H402H411H412
P
P203P210P222P260P261P264P270P271P272P273P280P316P317P318P319P321P330P337P363P377P381P391P403P405P501P264+P265P301+P316P301+P317P302+P352P304+P340P308+P316P332+P317P333+P317P337+P317P362+P364P403+P233P410+P403P301+P330+P331P302+P361+P354P305+P351+P338P305+P354+P338
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29101000 |
| UN Number | 2037 |
| ADR Class | 2.3 |
| Storage Class | 6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3 toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects |
| WGK (Germany) | 2 |
Other Names
OxiraneC₂H₄OETOOxaneAnproleneAmproleneai3-26263
Related Products
Raw Materials
Derivatives
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