why is epoxyethane very reactive
The reactivity of epoxyethane Ring strain The reason that epoxyethane is so reactive is that bonding pairs in the ring of atoms in the molecule are forced very close together. The bond angles are about 60Â° rather than about 109.5Â° when carbon atoms normally form single bonds.hen epoxyethane reacts a carbon-oxygen bond is always broken and the ring opens up. Uses of epoxyethane Manufacture of ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol) Acid catalysed hydrolysis of epoxyethane Epoxyethane reacts with water in the presence of an acid catalyst (very dilute sulphuric acid) at a temperature of about 60Â°C.