Return to Contents Chapter 16: Ethers, Epoxides and Sulfides Ch 4 contents

Epoxides

Epoxides are just a sub-class of ethers, in that they contain the C-O-C unit.
However, the term "epoxide" is used to describe the 3 membered heterocyclic system.
They are distinguished from other ethers by some their special reactivity.

Nomenclature:
Functional group suffix =  alkene oxide (review)
Functional group prefix = epoxy-

oxirane
ethylene oxide
epoxyethane
"epoxide"
propylene oxide
epoxypropane
cyclohexene oxide
1,2-epoxycyclohexane

Physical Properties:

Structure: Reactivity:
previous page
next page
organic chemistry © Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry University of Calgary