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Chemical compound
2,3-Epoxybutane is an organic compound with the formula CH3CH(O)CHCH3. It is an epoxide. The compound exists as three stereoisomers, a pair of enantiomers and the meso isomer. All are colorless liquids.
Preparation and reactions.
2,3-Epoxybutane is prepared from 2-butene via the chlorohydrin:
CH3CH=CHCH3 + HOCl → CH3CH(OH)CH(Cl)CH3
CH3CH(OH)CH(Cl)CH3 → CH3CH(O)CHCH3 + HCl
A common reaction is its hydration to 2,3-butanediol. Many such ring-opening reactions have been reported.