It consists of a highly reactive epoxide (oxirane) ring and a chloromethyl group and is present as a racemic mixture of optical isomers. Due to the strained epoxide ring it readily undergoes ring-opening reactions with nucleophiles such as water alcohols and amines while the chlorine atom also participates in substitution reactions. It is primarily produced from propylene and is widely used as an intermediate in the manufacture of epoxy resins synthetic glycerin elastomers ion-exchange resins and paper wet-strength resins. Epichlorohydrin is toxic and a probable human carcinogen requiring careful handling with appropriate safety measures.

For R&D