Formula C3H6O Molar mass 58.08 g/mol | Density 893 kg/m³ | |
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Oxetane, or 1,3-propylene oxide, is an heterocyclic organic compound with the molecular formula C3H6O, having a four-membered ring with three carbon atoms and one oxygen atom.
Contents
The term oxetane may also refer more generally to any organic compound containing an oxetane ring.
Production
A typical well-known method of preparation is the reaction of potassium hydroxide with 3-chloropropyl acetate at 150 °C:
Yield of oxetane made this way is c. 40%, as the synthesis can lead to a variety of by-products.
Other possible reactions to form oxetane ring is the Paternò–Büchi reaction. The oxetane ring can also be formed through diol cyclization as well as through decarboxylation of a six-membered cyclic carbonate.
Taxol
Paclitaxel (Taxol) is an example of a natural product containing an oxetane ring. Taxol has become a major point of interest among researchers due to its unusual structure and success in the involvement of cancer treatment. The attached oxetane ring is an important feature that is used for the binding of microtubules in structure activity; however little is known about how the reaction is catalyzed in nature, which creates a challenge for scientists trying to synthesize the product.