β-Propiolactone
1. Basic Information
Name: β-Propiolactone
Alias: 2-Oxetanone, Propiolactone
CAS No.: 57-57-8
Molecular Formula: C3H4O3
Molecular Weight: 88.06
Category: Four-membered cyclic lactone alkylating agent, sterilant, pharmaceutical synthetic intermediate
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- Appearance: Colorless transparent oily liquid
- Odor: Pungent irritating odor
- Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, acetone, ether; slowly hydrolyzes in water
- Melting Point: ?33.4 ℃
- Boiling Point: 162 ℃ (decomposes)
- Density (20℃): 1.146 g/cm3
- Refractive Index nD20: 1.413
- Flash Point: 74 ℃
- Hygroscopy: Non-hygroscopic
- Aqueous property: Gradually hydrolyzes in water to form 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, acidic solution
Chemical Properties
- Molecular structure: Four-membered ring lactone with high ring strain, highly reactive
- Ring-opening reaction: Reacts with amines, alcohols, phenols, amino acids to perform alkylation modification
- Hydrolysis characteristic: Accelerated hydrolysis under acid/alkali heating
- Sterilization mechanism: Alkylates nucleic acid protein to inactivate viruses, bacteria, spores
- Thermal stability: Unstable above 150 ℃, prone to polymerization and decomposition
- Photostability: Light-sensitive, UV irradiation accelerates self-polymerization
- Compatibility: Compatible with most anhydrous polar solvents; incompatible with strong alkali, ammonia, primary amines, water long-term storage
3. Main Application Fields
1. High-Efficiency Sterilizing Agent (Core Application)
Vapor phase disinfection for vaccine raw materials, plasma, biological products, laboratory isolators; alternative to formaldehyde for virus inactivation
2. Pharmaceutical Chiral & API Intermediate
Synthesize β-alanine, amino acid derivatives, anticancer drug intermediates via ring-opening alkylation
3. Polymer Modification Raw Material
Surface modification of protein, polymer grafting monomer
4. Biochemical Research Reagent
Nucleic acid labeling, protein modification reagent
4. Quality Specification Table
| Test Item | Standard Specification |
| CAS Number | 57-57-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C3H4O3 |
| Appearance | Colorless clear liquid free of turbidity & polymer sediment |
| GC Purity | Sterilization/Pharm Grade ≥99.0% |
| Water Content (KF) | ≤0.10% |
| Acid Value (as 3-hydroxypropionic acid) | ≤1.0 mgKOH/g |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Packaging | Nitrogen-sealed amber glass bottle / small iron drum |
| Storage Condition | Hermetically sealed cool warehouse 2–8 ℃, full light shielding, isolate water, alkaline substances and amines |
| Transportation Requirement | Toxic corrosive lactone liquid, dangerous goods transport, sealed anti-leakage |
| Shelf Life | 12 months under nitrogen low-temperature sealed storage |
Safety Warning Highly toxic, corrosive carcinogenic hazardous liquid. Vapor strongly irritates eyes, respiratory tract and skin; skin contact causes blistering burns, long-term exposure has tumor risk. All operations must be carried out in fully enclosed explosion-proof fume hood, wear full-face gas mask, thick nitrile gloves and anti-corrosion protective clothing. Strictly avoid contact with alkaline substances to prevent violent hydrolysis and splashing. Waste liquid must be hydrolyzed with alkaline solution for complete inactivation before discharge; residual materials classified as highly toxic hazardous waste, handled by licensed professional institutions.
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