trans-2-Pentene

Chemical properties

clear colourless to slightly yellowish liquid with a disagreeable odor.

The Uses of trans-2-Pentene

Polymerization inhibitor; organic synthesis.

The Uses of trans-2-Pentene

trans-2-Pentene has been used for the calculation of OH levels by the decay method.

General Description

trans-2-Pentene is a colorless liquid with a hydrocarbon smell. It is primarily found in technical grade as a mixture of isomers. It is commonly used as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as a polymerization inhibitor.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

The unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as 2-PENTENE, are generally much more reactive than the alkanes. Strong oxidizers may react vigorously with them. Reducing agents can react exothermically to release gaseous hydrogen. In the presence of various catalysts (such as acids) or initiators, compounds in this class can undergo very exothermic addition polymerization reactions.

Safety Profile

A dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Source

Schauer et al. (1999) reported trans-2-pentene in a diesel-powered medium-duty truck exhaust at an emission rate of 50 μg/km.
Schauer et al. (2001) measured organic compound emission rates for volatile organic compounds, gas-phase semi-volatile organic compounds, and particle-phase organic compounds from the residential (fireplace) combustion of pine, oak, and eucalyptus. The gas-phase emission rate of trans-2-pentene was 16.0 mg/kg of pine burned. Emission rates of trans-2-pentene were not measured during the combustion of oak and eucalyptus.
California Phase II reformulated gasoline contained trans-2-pentene at a concentration of 4.12 g/kg. Gas-phase tailpipe emission rates from gasoline-powered automobiles with and without catalytic converters were 0.71 and 77.4 mg/km, respectively (Schauer et al., 2002).

Environmental Fate

Chemical/Physical. Complete combustion in air yields carbon dioxide and water.

Purification Methods

It is treated as above and washed with water, dried over anhydrous Na2CO3, and fractionally distilled. The middle cut is purified by two passes of fractional melting. [Beilstein 1 IV 814.]