These solutions enable ring-opening reactions with nucleophiles (alcohols amines carboranes) for hydroxyethylation polymer synthesis (polyethylene glycol precursors) and organic transformations avoiding handling compressed flammable gas.

Their primary purpose is controlled SN2 ring-opening of the strained three-membered epoxide ring by nucleophiles forming -hydroxy derivatives under mild conditions while minimizing explosion risks associated with pure ethylene oxide.

Ethylene oxide solution typically refers to stabilized solutions of ethylene oxide (C2H4O or 12-epoxyethane) dissolved in inert solvents like THF dichloromethane or DMF at concentrations of 13 M used as safer alternatives to pure gas for laboratory reactions appearing as a colorless liquid with a faint sweet odor.