Ethylene glycol Properties

Due to its low molecular weight and lively nature, it can undergo reactions such as esterification, etherification, alcoholization, oxidation, acetalization, and dehydration.
Similar to ethanol, it can mainly react with inorganic or organic acids to form esters. Generally, only one hydroxyl group reacts first. After raising the temperature and increasing the amount of acid, etc., both hydroxyl groups can form esters. When reacted with nitric acid mixed with sulfuric acid, dinitrates are formed. Acid chlorides or acid anhydrides easily form esters between two hydroxyl groups. When ethylene glycol is heated under the action of a catalyst (manganese dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide or sulfuric acid), intramolecular or intermolecular dehydration can occur. Ethylene glycol can react with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals to form alkoxides. Usually, metals are dissolved in glycol to obtain monoalkoxide; if this alkoxide (such as ethylene glycol monosodium) is heated to 180-200°C in a hydrogen stream, disodium ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can be formed. . In addition, heating with ethylene glycol and 2mol sodium methoxide can give disodium ethylene glycol. Disodium ethylene glycol reacts with alkyl halides to form ethylene glycol monoether or diethers. Disodium ethylene glycol reacts with 1,2-dibromoethane to form dioxane. In addition, ethylene glycol is also easily oxidized. Depending on the oxidant used or the reaction conditions, various products can be generated, such as glycolaldehyde HOCH2CHO, glyoxal OHCCHO, glycolic acid HOCH2COOH, oxalic acid HOOCCOOH, carbon dioxide and water. Unlike other diols, ethylene glycol can undergo carbon chain scission after periodate oxidation. Ethylene glycol can often be used instead of glycerin. In tanning and pharmaceutical industries, they are used as hydrating agent and solvent respectively. Ethylene glycol derivatives dinitrates are explosives. Monomethyl ether or monoethyl ether of ethylene glycol is a good solvent, such as a cellosolve agent HOCH2CH2OCH3, which can dissolve fibers, resins, paints and many other organic substances. Ethylene glycol has a strong dissolving ability, but it is easily metabolized and oxidized to produce toxic oxalic acid, so it cannot be widely used as a solvent.