ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of ethylene oxide. It presents detailed information on the air analysis of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is used as a fumigant and sterilizing agent, and colorless gas with ether-like odor. It is soluble in water and most organic solvents, and highly flammable, toxic and severe irritant. During air analysis of ethylene oxide, air is drawn through a solid sorbent tube containing HBr-coated petroleum charcoal. Ethylene oxide in air may be measured directly in situ by a rapid colorimetric technique. Air is drawn through a multipart detector tube consisting of three reactor tubes: containing periodic acid, xylene, and conc. H2SO4, respectively. Ethylene oxide is oxidized by periodic acid to formaldehyde that then reacts with xylenes to form diaryl methylene compounds. The latter products are oxidized by H2SO4, impregnated on silica gel to red p-quinoidal compounds.
