Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
ETHYLENE DERIVATIVES
E
O
THYLENE
XIDE
O
catalyst
=
+
CH
CH
O
CH
2
CH
2
2
2
2
Older Method of Preparation
Cl
OH
=
+
+
CH
CH
Cl
H
O
CH
2
CH
2
2
2
2
2
NaOH
ethylene oxide + NaCl + H
O
2
Uses
Preparation of ethylene glycol for antifreeze and synthetic textile
fibers (60%), hospital sterilant (15%), surfactants (10%), other
chemicals (10%).
Suppliers
BASF Corp., Dow, Huntsman, Eastman Chemical, Old World
Trading, Equistar Chemicals, Union Carbide, and others.
Ethylene glycol is made by reacting ethylene oxide with water:
O
CH
2
CH
2
+ H
O
HO-CH
-CH
-OH
2
2
2
ethylene glycol
with terephthalic acid and then spinning textile fibers from the resulting
polymer. The fibers are woven into cloth from which the clothing is made.
Transparent film, tire cord, and carpeting are also made from polyesters
based on ethylene glycol. It is also used for the preparation of
Clothing referred to as
polyester
is made by
polymerizing
polyurethane
ingredients to make inline skate and scooter wheels.
Many laundry and dish detergents as well as shampoos are made from
chemicals based on ethylene oxide.
