Monoxide Monoxide A monoxide is any oxide containing just one atom of oxygen in the molecule. For example, Potassium oxide (KO), has only one atom of oxygen, and is thus a monoxide. Water (HO) is also a monoxide; see dihydrogen monoxide hoax. A well known monoxide is carbon monoxide (CO); see carbon monoxide poisoning. Most of the members of the Periodic Table form oxides when oxidized. There are two main types of oxides: monoxides and dioxides. Monoxides (generally MO) such as silicon monoxide (SiO) only exist at high temperatures. Among monoxides, CO is neutral, GeO is distinctly acidic, and SnO and
Propylene oxide Propylene oxide Propylene oxide is an organic compound with the molecular formula CHCHCHO. This colourless volatile liquid with an odour resembling ether, is produced on a large scale industrially. Its major application is its use for the production of polyether polyols for use in making polyurethane plastics. It is a chiral epoxide, although it is commonly used as a racemic mixture. This compound is sometimes called 1,2-propylene oxide to distinguish it from its isomer 1,3-propylene oxide, better known as oxetane. Industrial production of propylene oxide starts from propylene. Two general approaches are employed, one involving hydrochlorination and the other involving