Its reaction with a Grignard reagent yields a primary alcohol that has two more carbons than the Grignard reagent.
One method for producing this compound was developed by Lefort in the 1930s.The surfactant tween contains hydroxyl terminated chains made of this compound's polymerization product and that hydroxyl terminated polymer chain is sometimes attached to drugs like Interferon 2-alpha to increase bioavailability. It's not formaldehyde, but in a gaseous form, this compound is used as a sterilizing agent because of its alkylating abilities. Its reaction with a Grignard reagent yields a primary alcohol that has two more carbons than the Grignard reagent. Crown ethers are composed of units of this compound. Low concentrations of acid can catalyze the conversion of this high ring strain compound into ethylene glycol. For 10 points, name this simplest epoxide.
One method for producing this compound was developed by Lefort in the 1930s.
ethylene oxide [or oxirane; or 1,2-epoxyethane; prompt on ethylene glycol before sterilizing]