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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: ccj on September 02, 2004, 05:14:47 AM

Title: ethane-1,2-diol as antifreeze
Post by: ccj on September 02, 2004, 05:14:47 AM

ethane-1,2-diol is used as antifreeze. suggest a reason why it is preferred to methanol which was formerly used for this purpose.

hope somebody can help. thanks. ;D

Title: Re:ethane-1,2-diol as antifreeze
Post by: AWK on September 02, 2004, 05:46:29 AM

The reason is higher boiling point and lower toxicity.

Title: Re:ethane-1,2-diol as antifreeze
Post by: movies on September 02, 2004, 01:30:02 PM

Is it less flammable as well?

It is still pretty toxic, right?

Title: Re:ethane-1,2-diol as antifreeze
Post by: jdurg on September 02, 2004, 03:56:47 PM

It is still fairly toxic, but much less so than methanol.  Methanol is VERY volatile and is easily vaporized.  Inhalation of this vapor is not a good thing.  Ethane-1,2-diol is much less volatile, so it won't vaporize as easily and there's less chance that somebody would inhale it.

Title: Re:ethane-1,2-diol as antifreeze
Post by: Tetrahedrite on September 02, 2004, 08:26:49 PM

Volatile, flammable liquid + hot engine + sparks = disaster 8)