Diisopropyl ether

Diisopropyl ether is an organic compound, secondary ether, used as a solvent in labs.

Properties

Chemical

Diisopropyl ether is highly flammable and will burn in air if ignited.

Physical

Diisopropyl ether is a colorless liquid, with a sharp sweet smell, poorly soluble in water, but miscible with many organic solvents. It boils at 68.5 °C and freezes at −60 °C.

Availability

Diisopropyl ether is difficult to acquire from chemical suppliers, due to its hazards.

Preparation

Can be prepared via acid ether synthesis of isopropanol.

Projects

• Organic extractions

Handling

Safety

Diisopropyl ether can form explosive peroxides upon standing in air for long periods. This reaction proceeds more easily than for ethyl ether, due to the secondary carbon next to the oxygen atom. The stored solvent should therefore be tested every 3 months, compared to every 12 months for ethyl ether. Unlike in the case of other ethers, if the peroxide amount is high enough, diisopropyl ether may explode without concentration.

Storage

Diisopropyl ether should be stored in glass bottles, in a dry cold place, away from any heat source. As it tends to form peroxides much easier that the other ethers, BHT, para-benzylamimophenol or a copper wire should be added, to limit the formation of peroxides.

Disposal

Diisopropyl ether can be safely burned, although samples containing peroxides should be neutralized first with sulfite.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Synthesis of Diisopropyl-ether