Diethyl ether hydroperoxide is the organic compound with the formula C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OCH(OOH)CH<sub>3</sub>. It is a colorless liquid. Diethyl ether hydroperoxide and its condensation products are responsible for the explosive organic peroxides that slowly form upon exposure of diethyl ether to ambient air and temperature conditions.
Synthesis and reactions
Diethyl ether hydroperoxide can be formed by the photooxygenation of diethyl ether. This is a radical process, driven by UV excitation of molecular oxygen into a more reactive form. Its formation is usually undesirable due to the associated risk of explosion. For this reason, commercial samples of diethyl ether will usually contain antioxidants such as BHT and be contained in a material able to block UV rays, such as amber glass.
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It can be intentionally prepared in high yield by the acid-catalyzed addition of hydrogen peroxide to ethyl vinyl ether: