If you've been searching and searching and searching for a way to shorten up that long synthesis, we have something you should try.
It's called EI, for short. Its proper name is ethylenimine. And somebody's going to make a lot of money by capitalizing on the shorter process times which it makes possible. EI is a highly reactive building block with a molecular weight of only 43. How does it react? #1. In ring-opening (aminoethylation) reactions, similar to those undergone by ethylene oxide. #2. In ring-preserving reactions, where EI behaves as a secondary amine, forming products in which the aziridine ring
remains intact. #3. Polymerization, which occurs readily in an aqueous medium and the presence of an acid catalyst. So far, we've isolated more than 1,000 uses for EI. And you're cordially invited to come up with another one. We'll make it easy by supplying you with a free sample of EI, our handling manual, and lots of technical literature. All you have to do is ask for them. Write: Organic Chemicals Sales, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48640.
DOW C&EN 25
