2007-02-09 21:54:00 · 3 answers · asked by chrixylene l 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It spontaneously forms peroxides than are unstable and explosive. Since diethyl ether is itself highly flammable, if such an explosion occurs it can be devastating.
2007-02-10 02:04:33 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When ether is stored for long periods of time, it can pick up oxygen molecules from the air trapped in the container with it. When this happens, the compound formed is diethyl ether peroxide, which is very explosive and sensitive to shock and friction. In my labs all of the ether bottles are dated and must be emptied after a certain length of time.
2007-02-09 22:21:11 · answer #2 · answered by Greg Z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gains another oxygen, to make C2H5OOC2H5, which is dangerously explosive.
The way to stop this is to put pieces of sodium metal at the bottom of bottles of ether.
2007-02-09 22:10:35 · answer #3 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋