Diethyl ether peroxide

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide is the organic compound with the formula C₂H₅OCH(OOH)CH₃. It is a colorless liquid. Diethyl ether hydroperoxide and its condensation products are responsible for the explosive organic peroxides that slowly form upon exposure of diethyl ether to ambient air and temperature conditions.^[1][2]

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide

Identifiers
CAS Number	18321-53-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image Interactive image
ChemSpider	19985446 Y
PubChem CID	126387
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10893900
InChI InChI=1S/C4H10O3/c1-3-6-4(2)7-5/h4-5H,3H2,1-2H3 Y Key: CXWWPQGYBJCHJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C4H10O3/c1-3-6-4(2)7-5/h4-5H,3H2,1-2H3 Key: CXWWPQGYBJCHJL-UHFFFAOYAS
SMILES CCOC(OO)C CC(OCC)OO
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H10O3
Molar mass	106.121 g·mol−1
Appearance	colorless liquid
Density	1.005 g/cm3
Boiling point	62 to 64 °C (144 to 147 °F; 335 to 337 K) at 18.7 hPa (reduced pressure)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Explosive
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 4 4
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Synthesis and reactions

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide can be formed by the photooxygenation of diethyl ether. This is a radical process, driven by UV excitation of molecular oxygen into a more reactive form. Its formation is usually undesirable due to the associated risk of explosion. For this reason, commercial samples of diethyl ether will usually contain antioxidants such as BHT and be contained in a material able to block UV rays, such as amber glass.

It can be intentionally prepared in high yield by the acid-catalyzed addition of hydrogen peroxide to ethyl vinyl ether:^[1]

C₂H₅OCH=CH₂ + H₂O₂ → C₂H₅OCH(OOH)CH₃

Related hydroperoxides can be produced similarly.

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide, upon heating in water, decomposes to acetaldehyde:

C₂H₅OCH(OOH)CH₃ → CH₃CHO + C₂H₅OH + H₂O₂

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide forms polymers known as diethyl ether peroxide, or ethylidene peroxide:

The peroxide is a colorless oil that is an extremely brisant and friction sensitive explosive material, however the polymeric materials are solid making them more dangerous as evaporation of the volatile diethyl ether can leave thin films of pure explosive.

Tests

Diethyl ether peroxides can be detected with a potassium iodide (KI) solution in acetic acid or potassium iodide/starch paper. A positive test results in the formation of iodine (I₂) that causes a yellow or brown color of the ether phase or a dark bluish spot on the paper strip.^[3]