An epoxide is a cyclic ether with a three-atom ring. This ring approximates an equilateral triangle, which makes it strained, and hence highly reactive, more so than other ethers. … In general, low molecular weight epoxides are colourless and nonpolar, and often volatile.

What reagents make an epoxide?

Treating an alkene with a “peroxyacid” (that’s a carboxylic acid containing an extra oxygen) leads to direct formation of an epoxide. A popular peroxyacid for this purpose is m-CPBA [m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid], although other peroxyacids of the general form RCO3H also find use.

What is epoxide chemistry?

epoxide, cyclic ether with a three-membered ring. The basic structure of an epoxide contains an oxygen atom attached to two adjacent carbon atoms of a hydrocarbon. … Epoxides are easily opened, under acidic or basic conditions, to give a variety of products with useful functional groups.