Autoignition diethyl ether

PYROXYLIN (9004-70-0) C H, (0N02)40 (C,2Hj4N.022) The dry material (usually resulting from evaporation) is shock-sensitive explosive that can deflarate spontaneously. Do not allow material to becomes dry. The dry material is often wetted with water, amyl acetate denatured edianol, ethanol, isopropanol, eflianol-diethyl ether solution or 1-butanol [explosion limits in air (vol %) 1.9 to 36.0 (diethyl ether) flash point <-0°F/<-18°C (dry) 9°FM5°C (diethyl ether) - autoignition temp 356°F/180°C (diethyl... 

There is a good correlation between autoignition temperatures and octane or cetane numbers in motor fuels. Thus, toluene and diisopropyl ether make attractive additives for petrol while the low autoignition temperature of glycol ethers, diethyl ethers and some normal paraffins show them to have high cetane numbers and to be useful as cold start improvers for diesel compression/ignition engines. 

Molecular sieves, activated alumina and calcium chloride dry diethyl ether very satisfactorily but the hrst two are difficult to regenerate given the low temperatures demanded to avoid autoignition and the need to avoid the use of air. A number of other chemicals are suitable (Chapter 7) provided that they are not harmful to the subsequent use of the diethyl ether. Pervaporation is also a suitable way of drying diethyl ether down to 0.1% w/w water. 

Unlike its homologue, diethyl ether, DIPE has a comparatively high autoignition temperature. Indeed, it can be blended into motor gasoline as an octane improver. Hence precautions are not required to avoid a vapour explosion due to contact with hot surfaces. 

Properties Colorless cryst. geranium odor sol. in ethanol, benzene, diethyl ether, glac. acetic acid misc. with oxygenated soivs. insol. in water m.w. 170.21 dens. 1.073 vapor pressure 0.0213 mm Hg m.p. 26-30 C b.p. 259 C flash pt. 96 C autoignition temp. 618 C ref. index 1.5790 surf, tens. 38.82 dynes/cm... 

Properties Colorless to straw-colored clear liq. mild geranium-like odor sol. in water, ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether, benzene, chloroform, dioxane, THF misc. with oxygenated, chlorinated, and aromatic solvs. insol. in aliphatic hydrocarbons m.w. 56.06 dens. 0.9715 (20/4 C) vapor pressure 11.6 mm (20 C) m.p. -53 C b.p. 114-115 C flash pt. 33 C autoignition temp. 400 C... 

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