Etoksi

Etoksi, or ethoxy in Indonesian usage, refers to the alkoxy substituent with the fragment -O-CH2-CH3. It denotes the ethyl group connected through an oxygen atom to another part of a molecule. The ethoxy group is common in ethers and esters, and it is described in systematic naming as ethoxy- when attached to a parent hydrocarbon.

Chemically, the ethoxy group is an oxygen atom bound to an ethyl fragment, giving structures such as R-O-CH2CH3. In chemical nomenclature, compounds bearing this fragment are named with the ethoxy prefix, for example ethoxybenzene (phenetole) or ethyl phenyl ether. The ethoxy group also appears as the functional part of ethyl esters (R-CO-O-CH2CH3) and as one side of certain ethers like diethyl ether (CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3).

Preparation and occurrence: Ethoxy derivatives are typically prepared by methods such as the Williamson ether synthesis, where an alkoxide reacts with an ethyl halide to form R-O-CH2CH3. Ethyl esters are produced by esterification of carboxylic acids with ethanol, or by using ethylating agents appropriate for carbonyl compounds. The ethoxy group also appears in various ethoxylated compounds used as intermediates or surfactants.

Examples and applications: Ethyl esters such as ethyl acetate and ethyl formate are widely used as solvents and intermediates. Diethyl ether is a classic ether solvent with an ethoxy linkage on both sides. In industry, ethoxylation introduces ethoxy groups into molecules to increase solubility and reactivity, forming ethoxylated alcohols and nonionic surfactants.

Safety and handling: Ethyl ethers are typically flammable and volatile. Ethoxy-containing compounds can pose health and environmental risks; proper storage, handling, and disposal practices are important.