Ethers, Acetals & Epoxides

Epoxides, acetals and ethers each play a distinct role. Epoxides are strained rings that open with nucleophiles to give two new functional groups, acetals protect aldehydes and ketones, and ethers serve as stable linkers and solvents. This sub-category includes (R)-(−)-Epichlorohydrine and (S)-(+)-Epichlorohydrine at 99%, (R)- and (S)-Propylene carbonate, 1,1,3,3-Tetramethoxypropane, a malondialdehyde precursor, and 1,2,7,8-Diepoxyoctane as a crosslinker.

For chiral epoxides, enantiomeric purity decides the stereochemistry of every product built from them, which is why they are often used in beta-blocker and other API syntheses. Epoxides are also reactive and may be mutagenic, so careful handling is essential. Acetals are stable to base but sensitive to acid, which guides their use as protecting groups. Cyclic carbonates such as propylene carbonate also serve as polar solvents and electrolyte components.

Items ship sealed in glass bottles or drums, often under nitrogen, with a COA and SDS. Gram to kilogram quantities are available for most chiral epoxides.