Ethyl vinyl ether
[CAS# 25104-37-4]

Identification

• Classification: Catalysts and additives >> Polymer
• Name: Ethyl vinyl ether
• Synonyms: ethenoxyethane
• Molecular Formula: [CH2CH(OC₂H₅)]_n
• Molecular Weight: ~3,800
• CAS Registry Number: 25104-37-4
• EC Number: 203-718-4
• SMILES: CCOC=C

Properties

• Density: 0.968 g/mL (25 °C)
• Index of Refraction: 1.454

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS02;GHS07 Danger
• Risk Statements: H225-H319-H336
• Safety Statements: P210-P233-P240-P241-P242-P243-P261-P264+P265-P271-P280-P303+P361+P353-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P319-P337+P317-P370+P378-P403+P233-P403+P235-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Flammable liquids	Flam. Liq.	3	H226

Discovery and Applications

Ethyl vinyl ether, with the chemical formula C4H8O, was first synthesized in the early 20th century by reacting ethanol with acetylene in the presence of sulfuric acid. This simple synthesis paved the way for the exploration of its unique chemical properties and potential applications. The compound is characterized by its ether functional group (-O-) combined with an ethyl (-C2H5) and vinyl (-CH=CH2) group, which has unique reactivity and stability. Ethyl vinyl ether exhibits remarkable chemical properties that make it valuable in various chemical processes. Its structure has a reactive vinyl moiety that allows for facile polymerization and copolymerization reactions, facilitating the synthesis of specialized polymers and resins. In addition, its ether bond is soluble in organic solvents and water, expanding its usefulness in different reaction environments.

The versatility of ethyl vinyl ether has practical applications in several industrial fields: it can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of other organic compounds, including pharmaceutical intermediates and specialty chemicals; ethyl vinyl ether can participate in the production of vinyl polymers, coatings and adhesives by utilizing its polymerization ability; it acts as a solvent in catalytic processes and as a reagent in organic reactions, facilitating the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

In pharmaceutical research, ethyl vinyl ether plays a vital role as a starting material for the synthesis of drug molecules and as a solvent in formulation chemistry. Its ability to undergo controlled reactions under mild conditions makes it attractive for medicinal chemistry applications, aiding in the development of new therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems.

While ethyl vinyl ether offers significant advantages in chemical synthesis and industrial applications, its handling requires adherence to safety protocols due to its flammability and potential health hazards. Proper ventilation and protective equipment are essential when working with this compound to mitigate the associated risks.

References

Igor V. Tetko, Vsevolod Yu. Tanchuk, Tamara N. Kasheva, and Alessandro E. P. Villa. Estimation of Aqueous Solubility of Chemical Compounds Using E-State Indices, J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 2001, 41 (6), pp 1488-1493