Epichlorohydrin

Overview
Epichlorohydrin is reactive organic compound. It is an epoxide and an organochloride. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent, garlic-like odor that is insoluble in water, but miscible with most polar organic solvents. Epichlorohydrin is a highly reactive compound and will polymerize upon treatment with acid or strong base.

Epichlorohydrin is manufactured from propylene through the intermediacy of allyl chloride. A major industrial use of epichlorohydrin has been in the production of glycerin, though this application has become less attractive as the price of glycerine has fallen. Indeed, at least three companies have announced plans to convert glycerine to epicholorohydrin. "Epi" is also used as a building block in the manufacture of plastics, epoxy resins, phenoxy resins and other polymers. It used as a solvent for cellulose, resins and paints and it has found use as an insect fumigant.

Epichlorohydrin is a precursor to glycidyl nitrate, an energetic binder used in explosive and propellant compositions. The epichlorohydrin is reacted with an alkali nitrate, such as sodium nitrate, producing gylcydyl nitrate and alkali chloride.

Epichlorohydrin is flammable, toxic and carcinogenic.