Diepoxybutane
Diepoxybutane is an epoxide which is a colorless liquid at room temperature. Epoxides are very reactive due to ring strain and diepoxybutane contains two of these groups, so it is highly reactive, more than other ethers. It is hydrophilic, very flammable and easily ignited by heat or sparks.
Diepoxybutane is used as a chemical intermediate, as a cross-linking agent for polymers and textiles, and as a preservative.
Structure, reactivity, synthesis
Diepoxybutane occurs as several enantiomers and a meso form.Diepoxybutane polymerizes in the presence of catalysts or when heated. These polymerization reactions can be violent.
Other uses
In research diepoxybutane is used as a chemical intermediate, and in medicine for the diepoxybutane to screen for Fanconi anemia among patients with bone marrow failure syndromes.Although many chemicals are capable of DNA crosslinking, the DEB test is used because it gives fewer false negatives and positives than other chemicals.
Toxicity
Effect on humans
Diepoxybutane irritates the nose, throat and lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath. Skin exposure can cause chemical burns. Longer exposure periods can cause pulmonary edema, and damage to the liver and kidneys.Carcinogenicity
- IARC Carcinogen - Class 1: International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies chemicals as established human carcinogens.
- NTP Carcinogen - Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.