Hazard evaluation for oxidation of cyclic ethers

摘要

Ethers are widely used as a solvent for synthesis reactions, however, they are known as hazardous chemicals as they have low flash points and form peroxides under oxidative conditions. In this study, the oxidative reactivity of cyclic ethers was evaluated by thermal analysis. The accelerated test was performed in a pressure vessel under a high oxygen pressure (2 MPa), and DSC was used to detect the products of the reaction. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,3-dioxolane were used as a sample. The result of the DSC measurement of THF without any antioxidant showed that the DSC curve depended on the exposure time. It was found that this method can be used for the oxidation evaluation. The DSC measurement was also used for the detection of ether peroxides, and this method was faster and simpler than the potassium iodine titration.