1,4-Dioxane

A summary of the most common chemical descriptors (InChI Key and SMILES codes) for 1,4-Dioxane are summarized together with 3D and 2D structures and relevant physico-chemical properties.

What is the 1,4-Dioxane?

The molecule 1,4-Dioxane presents a molecular formula of C₄H₈O₂ and its IUPAC name is 1,4-dioxane.

1,4-Dioxane is a molecule consisting of two carbon atoms and four oxygen atoms. The molecule is sometimes referred to as "ethylene oxide", although this is technically incorrect. 1,4-Dioxane is a clear, colorless liquid with a faint, sweet odor. It is miscible with water and is often used as a solvent..

1,4-Dioxane is produced industrially by the dehydration of ethanol. It is also a byproduct of the production of ethylene glycol and other ethylene oxide-based chemicals. The molecule is used as a solvent in a variety of industries, including paint and coatings, adhesives, inks, and cosmetics. It is also used as a degreaser and a cleaning agent..

1,4-Dioxane lies as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exposure to the molecule has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly liver and kidney cancer. The EPA has set a maximum contaminant level for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water of 0.35 parts per billion..

If you are using products that contain 1,4-dioxane, it is important to take precautions to avoid exposure. Wear gloves and protective clothing when handling the substance, and be sure to ventilate the area well. If you suspect that you have been exposed to 1,4-dioxane, seek medical attention immediately..

3D structure

Cartesian coordinates

Geometry of 1,4-Dioxane in x, y and z coordinates (Å units) to copy/paste elsewhere. Generated with Open Babel software.

2D drawing

Molecule descriptors

Other names (synonyms)

IUPAC nomenclature provides a standardized method for naming chemical compounds. Although this system is widely used in chemistry, many chemical compounds have also other names commonly used in different contexts. These synonyms can come from a variety of sources and are used for a variety of purposes.

One common source of synonyms for chemical compounds is the common or trivial names, assigned on the basis of appearance, properties, or origin of the molecule.

Another source of synonyms are historical or obsolete names employed in the past, however replaced nowadays by more modern or standardized names.

In addition to common and historical names, chemical compounds may also have synonyms that are specific to a particular field or industry.

Reference codes for other databases

• CAS number (Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number) is a unique identifier is assigned to every chemical compound indexed in the CAS database.
• Beilstein: The Beilstein database is a comprehensive source of information on organic chemistry, including information on chemical structures, properties, and reactions. The Beilstein database assigns unique identifiers which can be used to identify compounds in scientific literature and other sources.
• ChEBI (Chemical Entities of Biological Interest): ChEBI is a database of small chemical molecules that are of interest in the field of biology.
• PubChem CID (Compound Identifier): PubChem is a database of chemical compounds that is maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• RTECS number (Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances): The RTECS is a database of information on the toxic effects of chemicals, including information on their structures and properties.
• ChEMBL (Compound Bioactivity Data): ChEMBL is a database of bioactivity data for small molecules, including information on their properties and structures.
• CompTox Dashboard (Environmental Protection Agency): The CompTox Dashboard is a database of information on the toxicology and environmental effects of chemicals.

Physico-Chemical properties

LogP and topological polar surface area (TPSA) values were estimated using Open Babel software.

The n-octanol/water partition coeficient (K_ow) data is applied in toxicology and drug research. K_ow values are used, to guess the environmental fate of persistent organic pollutants. High partition coefficients values, tend to accumulate in the fatty tissue of organisms. Molecules with a log(K_ow) (or LogP) greater than 5 are considered to bioaccumulate.

TPSA values are the sum of the surface area over all polar atoms or molecules, mainly oxygen and nitrogen, also including hydrogen atoms.

In medicinal chemistry, TPSA is used to assess the ability of a drug to permeabilise cells.

For molecules to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (and act on receptors in the central nervous system), TPSA values below 90 Ų are required. Thus, molecules with a polar surface area greater than 140 Ų tend to be poorly permeable to cell membranes.