Chemical innovation never unfolds overnight. The origins of 2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane trace back to research in the late twentieth century, building on discoveries from the post-war era. Scientists sought stronger ties between organic and inorganic compounds, attempting to boost the performance of polymers, coatings, and adhesives. Early silane coupling agents carried limitations—restricted thermal stability and limited reactivity. Chemists saw opportunity in the strained oxirane ring of cycloaliphatic epoxies, attempting to merge their reactive nature with trialkoxysilane’s glass-bonding power. By the 1980s, companies like Dow Corning and Shin-Etsu launched new hybrid silanes, paving the way for the development and commercialization of this epoxycyclohexyl-functional silane. Instead of sticking with lab-scale ideas, manufacturers invested in process scaling, markets grew, and reliability increased. These small molecular advances both shaped and were shaped by the evolving needs of electronics, construction, and paint industries, proving how practical challenges drive chemical progress.
2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane brings together the reactive force of an epoxy group and the surface-bonding power of trialkoxysilane. Suppliers usually offer this compound as a clear to slightly yellowish liquid. Its appeal cuts across industries because it forms a molecular bridge, latching onto glass, metals, ceramics, and then to organic polymers. This dual nature allows for better adhesion, less moisture sensitivity, and improved aging resistance. Manufacturers list it under several commercial names, making it easy to spot for those seeking specific performance upgrades without tinkering with foundational product chemistry. The molecule’s unique arrangement and tailored reactivity shape many specialty material solutions in composites, coatings, adhesives, and sealants.
With a molecular formula of C14H26O5Si, 2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane typically weighs in at 302.44 g/mol. The compound holds structural features like a strained cyclohexyl epoxy ring and a long organic chain carrying three methoxy groups. Visually, it usually appears as a clear or pale yellow liquid, offering a faint yet distinctive odor. It starts to boil at roughly 150-160°C under reduced pressure, with a flash point above 110°C. The specific gravity or density hovers around 1.07 to 1.1 g/cm3 at room temperature. The molecule resists water, but the methoxy groups readily hydrolyze in the presence of moisture, producing silanol groups capable of linking with glass or silica-rich surfaces. It stays stable under proper storage conditions—cool, dry, away from acids and oxidizers. Robust shelf life reflects modern packaging standards, crucial for quality assurance in a high-expectation marketplace.
Every drum or bottle features precise labels. Product labels display batch codes, purity percentages (commonly above 97%), water content, acidity taps, and storage guidelines. Safety data sheets accompany every shipment. Customers expect, and get, clarity on the presence of by-products or unintended isomers. Companies stick to standards such as ISO 9001 for quality and REACH for chemical handling. The UN number, GHS pictograms, and hazard warnings make transit and storage safer for everyone in the supply chain. For process technicians and researchers, certificates of analysis detail critical variables—residual methanol, hydrolyzable chlorine, and refractive index. End-users gain peace of mind from knowing exactly what sits inside every container delivered to their plant.
The chemistry behind epoxycyclohexyl-functional silane production demands precision and control. Manufacturers often begin with 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethanol, derived from appropriate cyclohexene precursors through epoxidation. Chemists then introduce the trimethoxysilane group through hydrosilylation—a key reaction linking Si-H bonds to unsaturated carbon atoms under platinum catalysis. Each step relies on tight reaction conditions—control of temperature, exclusion of moisture, careful selection of catalysts—to avoid by-product formation. Purification through vacuum distillation or chromatographic methods removes trace reactants and ensures the final product meets the necessary grade for electronics or construction markets. Scale-up challenges require both experience and modern process analytics. The world behind industrial chemistry doesn’t always get headlines, but accurate, consistent synthesis supports every downstream innovation.
The chemistry lets this molecule play several roles. In composite fabrication, the epoxy ring seeks out hardeners and resins, participating in crosslinking reactions. The methoxy groups react with ambient moisture, producing silanols that firmly bond with silica, alumina, or glass surfaces. This two-way reactivity grants chemists the power to build tougher, more reliable bonds at the interface between plastic and inorganic fillers. Beyond direct use as a coupling agent, skilled chemists often use it as a starting point for derivatization. Changing methoxy groups to ethoxy moieties changes the hydrolysis speed, useful for tailored applications. The molecule joins the toolkit for surface functionalization, nanocoating technologies, and hybrid material design. Ongoing work in reaction kinetics and new modification strategies constantly reveals new tricks for old molecules, ready to meet future challenges.
This molecule often hides behind names like “Epoxycyclohexylethyltrimethoxysilane,” “3,4-Epoxycyclohexylethyltrimethoxysilane,” and CAS 3388-04-3. Some suppliers choose tradenames, while others keep it simple for chemists reading spec sheets. Names reflect underlying structural features, so chemists move between trademarks and systematic text without missing a beat. Industry professionals quickly decode these labels during product selection or compliance checks.
Though its hazards rarely rank among the most severe, responsible handling matters. Eyes and skin suffer irritation from spills, so personal protective equipment—goggles, gloves, sleeves—become standard. Vapor concentrations may lead to mild respiratory discomfort in unventilated spaces, especially during large-scale mixing. Once the methoxy groups hydrolyze, surface silanols can influence eye or skin sensitivity, so eye washes and safety showers need routine checks. Chemical storage means keeping containers sealed, dry, away from acids and oxidizers. Labeling stays clear and legible, and chemical management teams stay sharp with inventory controls and spill protocols. Many workplaces train staff through scenario-based exercises, moving safety from paper manuals into everyday behavior. Regulation through REACH and OSHA standards keeps workers and communities safer, even during high-volume shipments or product transfers.
Few modern sectors ignore the benefits found in this hybrid silane. Construction adhesives, sealants, and industrial coatings benefit from its ability to tie organic polymers to inorganic surfaces. Electronic encapsulants, LED potting compounds, and optical adhesives use the compound to improve moisture resistance and electrical stability. The automotive industry incorporates it into paint primers, leading to longer-lasting finishes that fight environmental damage. Glass fiber composites, used in wind turbine blades and high-performance sports equipment, lean on the molecule to boost mechanical strength and reliability over decades. Research teams in solar, medical coatings, and fiber optics also explore surface interactions, searching for new ways to build smarter, more durable interfaces. Its consistent performance under challenging conditions keeps it on the chemist’s bench, both in industrial giants and academic labs.
Few areas move faster than specialty chemicals research. Companies and institutions constantly run studies documenting how this silane’s molecular structure changes surface energy, wetting behavior, and long-term durability of bonded systems. Partnerships with university departments foster new protocols for nanoscale coatings and advanced electronic packaging. Tests dig into how modifications—to the epoxy ring, to the alkoxysilane tail—drive interaction with new substrates, polymers, or functional fillers. Open data sharing from patent and technical journals helps new users stay up to date, closing the loop between lab discovery and marketable product. The practical impact of all this research shows up in end-products that stay cleaner, last longer, and withstand more stress, benefiting both manufacturers and end-users.
Safety always demands more than preliminary tests. Animal studies point toward moderate toxicity if ingested in large quantities, typical for many silanes. Short-term inhalation exposure does not produce severe health effects at workplace concentrations, according to established occupational studies. Dermal exposure most commonly leads to mild irritation, which resolves with standard washing procedures. Long-term or high-exposure scenarios receive extra attention, as with any molecule entering high-volume manufacturing. Regulatory bodies assess reproductive and developmental toxicity, mutagenicity, and potential for bioaccumulation—hazards haven’t raised alarms but continuous monitoring matters. Transparency in reporting and rigor in safety testing make it possible for users to gauge risk and protect both workers and end-use consumers.
Development will not stop where things now stand. New markets open up as composites become more common in renewable energy and next-generation electronics. Growing demands for advanced nanomaterials, lightweight composites, and functionalized surfaces point toward even greater use of hybrid silanes, including this molecule. Environmental regulations push research into greener synthesis routes, more biodegradable derivatives, and better approaches for end-of-life recycling. Manufacturers look at continuous process improvements to raise yields, trim impurities, and shrink the chemical footprint. Practitioners—chemists, engineers, technical marketers—share real-world experiences, passing along best practices for safer, more creative applications across industries. This flow of information and ideas helps keep the industry growing, connected, and moving steadily toward smarter chemical solutions.
Picture a modern wind turbine, car, or smartphone. These rely on advanced materials that often mix organic resins with minerals, metals, or glass. 2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, a mouthful of a compound, quietly makes these combinations stick. It acts as a molecular “bridge” between surfaces that would otherwise repel each other, improving how well coatings or paints grip to glass or metal, or how a fiber strengthens a composite. This improves toughness, water resistance, and longevity.
Insulating parts in electronics must block moisture and resist heat. This silane adds an epoxy group that reacts robustly with resin systems, helping them form dense, hard barriers. Electrical devices—transformers, sensors, printed circuit boards—all benefit from dielectrics that won’t break down or track. Data from manufacturer technical sheets shows that introducing these silanes into epoxy insulators lifts their breakdown voltage and curbs long-term corrosion. In a world running on electronics, these details keep smartphones working in the rain and EVs safe on the road.
Many paints promise tough, weatherproof finishes. Quality doesn’t come just from the pigments or resins but from what happens right where paint meets the surface. Here, 2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane links mineral fillers or glass to the organic resins. Bridges formed by this compound survive weather changes, scrubbing, and years of sunlight without letting paint peel away. Automotive and industrial coatings, where longevity counts, value this property. If you’ve seen clear coat on a car bead up water after a decade, thank chemistry like this.
Composite materials blend strength and lightweight properties—but only if the pieces truly fuse together. Fiberglass, one common example, gets packed into wind blades, boats, and sporting goods. Without a good bond, these materials fall apart under stress. 2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane reacts with both sides: the inorganic glass and the organic resin. The result is fewer micro-cracks and delamination, according to studies published in Materials Science and Engineering journals. In industries like wind energy and aerospace, stronger composites mean parts last longer with fewer repairs.
It’s not all about strength. Manufacturers care about how fast coatings dry, how paints resist chemicals, and the shelf life of adhesives. Formulators weave this silane into their recipes to lower viscosity, speed up curing, and provide stable storage. Evidence from coatings industry testing shows a clear drop in water absorption and better scratch resistance. Factories or contractors gain because products go on faster and endure tougher use.
These silanes offer many benefits, but they aren’t perfect. They call for careful handling, with attention to ventilation and personal safety, especially during mixing. Recent regulatory focus on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pushes the chemical industry to look for improvements that cut hazardous emissions. Some research teams test bio-based silanes or safer substitutes, but so far, compounds like 2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane set the benchmark for bonding difficult surfaces.
What seems like a small ingredient shapes how modern goods work, last, and look. By combining different materials, resisting weather or chemicals, and insulating against electrical stress, this specialty silane shapes many of the products used every day. For makers and users alike, these behind-the-scenes improvements matter.
Any time I work with chemicals, chaos sits one careless move away. The label on the container can change everything about my approach. It’s not just about using gloves and goggles, it’s about knowing which kind to wear. Some chemicals chew right through latex, and some off-gas before your nose gets the warning. Every product comes with its quirks—a bleach-based cleaner, for example, sends out fumes that shouldn’t mix with ammonia or anything acidic; one lungful of the wrong mix is a memory I’ll never forget. Reading those hazard icons and warnings gives you a preview of what can go wrong and just how fast.
Suiting up isn’t just for industrial labs. I’ve torn nitrile gloves on a splinter before, and watched a drop sizzle a hole before my heart even started racing. There’s a real difference between gloves made for show, and ones built for strong acids or solvents—always match your PPE to your task. Eye protection needs side shields, not just regular glasses, and I look for long sleeves and a sturdy apron when there’s splash involved. Simple rules: keep skin covered, watch where fumes go, and check for gaps. Respirators matter in rooms with poor airflow, especially with fine powders or volatile liquids. Skipping the gear just isn’t worth the risk.
A crowded counter becomes a danger zone fast. One bump and you’ve got a cascade. Clean, clutter-free benches save me from accidents—the fewer distractions, the better. Good lighting makes leaks obvious, and ventilation keeps fumes from building up. Working under a fume hood, with an open window in a pinch, makes disasters less likely. I keep water, an eye wash station, and a spill kit within reach whenever I’m near chemicals. Having these ready can mean the difference between an accident and a nightmare. Never eat or drink near the product. Fingers carry traces you can’t always see.
Chemicals belong on shelves meant for them, not next to coffee mugs and snacks. I always check labels closely before putting anything away; mixing up two similar bottles once flooded my garage with a nasty smell. Separate acids from bases, keep fuels far from oxidizers, and store flammable stuff in metal cabinets. It’s not about making things look neat, it’s about stopping the worst-case scenario before it ever starts. Keeping lids tight and logging what moves in and out of storage keeps surprises off the table.
A spill doesn’t give you time to wonder what to do next. Fast action comes from practice and knowing the game plan: contain, neutralize, and call for help if you’re over your head. I always scan emergency contacts before starting, double-check that the first aid kit is full, and run through the basic steps in my mind. Safety data sheets (SDS) stay close, laying out what to do for eyes, skin, or inhalation exposure. Training everyone who might use the product stops rookie mistakes before they happen.
Anybody who has spent time around silane coupling agents knows this: these chemicals demand respect. [2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)Ethyl]Trimethoxysilane, like many organosilanes, doesn’t forgive sloppy handling. Get lax, you wind up with a mess—and probably a few warning letters from your safety team. Direct experience showed me that even seasoned lab workers sometimes underestimate how reactive a slight leak or a sloppy cap can turn into sticky, expensive trouble.
Chemicals like this silane won’t tolerate heat or moisture for long. You leave it in a hot corner near a window, expect the quality to take a hit. If it absorbs water, hydrolysis kicks in. Once this process starts, you’re not using the original compound anymore: byproducts form, and you get gels you didn’t ask for. I watched a full drum go to waste one summer because a co-worker overlooked a slow leak, letting moist air creep in day after day. The haze inside the container should have raised alarms sooner.
If you’re not storing it at a steady temperature, you invite all kinds of mishaps. Most epoxy-functional silanes stay stable below 30°C. That means air-conditioned warehouses or a ventilated indoor storage room, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like boilers and steam lines. Heat promotes polymerization, causing pressure buildup—which is never a good thing in sealed drums or bottles.
Metal is out. Go for high-density polyethylene or glass. Both options keep out moisture and don’t react with the silane. It pays to check the gasket on each container; if it’s worn, ditch it. I recall a time in the plastics shop when a supplier sent our batch in a lined steel pail. Within a week, telltale crystals started to lurk on the rim. Reactivity with trace metals can creep up faster than you think.
Sealing the lid right after every use isn't just a matter of tidiness—it blocks the two biggest enemies: air and moisture. I’ve seen people get comfortable because “we use it every day here.” That routine is the quickest path to cross-contamination and product loss, especially in humid weather.
If you’ve ever watched a trainee fumble through a chemical storeroom, you’ll know clear labeling isn’t just for the new folks. Expiration dates, batch numbers, and handling warnings should face outward. Regulatory compliance aside, being able to trace a batch matters when something goes off-spec. My team once dodged a recall because the delivery batch at fault was clearly marked during intake. Having solid records made troubleshooting quick and straightforward.
Accidents don’t announce themselves. Absorbent clay and nitrile gloves belong right near the storage area, not locked away in someone’s office. Ventilation pulls its weight; fans or fume hoods whisk away vapors that can mess with your lungs or trigger sensitive smoke detectors. Routine checks—using both your eyes and a humidity meter—put you ahead of most headaches. Every chemist can recall at least one panic moment linked to lazy upkeep, and I’m no exception.
The most effective solution for stable storage? Closed, clearly labeled, airtight containers in a shady, cool, and dry place. Get everyone on a schedule for checking conditions. Training refreshers every few months, driven by real incidents, enforce best practices better than laminated SOP cards. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link—most problems trace back to one moment of inattention. Keep things clear, tight, and cool, and trouble rarely knocks.
Determining the right dosage in any new formulation rarely gets the attention it deserves. People sometimes forget that each ingredient, from an active pharmaceutical compound to a minor preservative in a face cream, carries its own story. Too much throws off the purpose of the entire batch—a little too little, and the end-user wonders if it’s even doing its job. Years spent working with formulators taught me that these numbers aren’t just percentages on a notepad; they mark the difference between a product that earns trust and one that triggers complaints or lawsuits.
Walking into any pharmacy or grocery aisle, you find dozens of brands boasting “extra strength” or “maximum benefit.” The reality is, reviewing the science behind any recommended usage level exposes a long trail of research, field testing, and safety reviews. For example, most over-the-counter painkillers list dosages confirmed by clinical trials. Every milligram matters. Skipping proper measurement can lead to people getting sick—nothing theoretical here, just a fact I’ve seen play out in lab recalls and, in a few cases, news scandals that left companies facing lawsuits and lost public confidence.
Making formulas for foods and pharmaceuticals comes loaded with regulations. Agencies like the FDA and EFSA make sure every listed dosage stands up to independent scrutiny. The data trails from animal studies, human trials, and post-market surveillance force companies to be honest about what works and what causes harm. For supplements, dosage mistakes can be even more dangerous. Take the rash of hospitalizations a few years ago linked to too much vitamin D in fortified foods—consumers trust the numbers printed on packaging, and lives get impacted by lazy math.
Experience with product failures changes an approach pretty fast. Audits after a botched batch tell you everything about the real pitfalls of ignoring recommended dosage. I remember working on a project with caffeine-fortified drinks. Missing the upper safe limit by even a couple of milligrams left buyers jittery and angry. It didn’t take long to understand how fine-tuning the formulation, and sticking to what regulatory bodies advise, avoids embarrassment and lost revenue.
Labels and instructions ought to spell things out clearly. For consumers, jargon-free information means they’re less likely to make dosing mistakes. Overly technical language or vague “add to taste” instructions in something like a vitamin powder can push people to experiment and end up overdosing. Clarity matters, especially when it comes to vulnerable populations—children, older adults, or people with other health conditions.
Good formulation practice comes down to three things: up-to-date research, accurate testing, and transparency. Product developers should rely on fresh studies and independent data, not assumptions or borrowed charts. High-quality labs with calibrated equipment remove the guesswork. Finally, companies owe it to the public to publish the source behind their recommendations, including references to published research and links to government safety reviews when possible. Open communication and education create trust, shift people away from misinformation, and protect both customers and brands from preventable harm.
Setting up a product for success often depends on its journey from raw mixture to finished good. Over years working with industrial materials and coatings, I’ve watched teams struggle to figure out why a formula just won’t harden, or why a once-trusted sealant cracks under the wrong light. Manufacturers, technicians, and even DIYers want things to set up quickly and reliably, but skipping the details about curing can ruin hours of effort—and a few buckets of materials.
Some products change from sticky to solid all on their own, yet others demand a helping hand. For example, plenty of resins and adhesives rely on the right blend of time, temperature, and sometimes even humidity. If the job site sits in a humid Gulf Coast shed, or an air-conditioned warehouse in the Rockies, that difference changes everything. Hardeners and cross-linkers found in most epoxies show just how much timing and temperature matter. Rushing a batch because the pot life seems “good enough” has cost my crew more than one ruined repair.
Catalysts aren’t just chemistry jargon—they’re what keep a product from taking all day, or even all week, to reach final strength. Think about silicone rubber molds for casting parts. If you’ve forgotten to mix in the tiny bottle of curing agent, you’ll come back the next morning to a sloshy mess. No amount of waiting gets it done. The right catalyst shoves those molecules into place quickly and evenly, but too little (or too much) throws things off.
Manufacturers often tune catalysts closely to match the product. A heat-curing adhesive, for example, might come with a warning that lower oven temps lead to weak bonds. If a factory rushes batches by boosting oven heat above the manufacturer’s recommendation, that short cut bakes the outside and leaves a soft center. Following the science matters—no shortcuts.
Stories pile up: automotive shops slapping two-part body fillers onto cold steel, hoping it’ll cure overnight, or floor installers hitting old epoxy with a heat gun to rush things along. Sometimes, these workarounds bite back with poor performance, ugly surfaces, or total product failure. Products engineered for a precise catalyst-to-resin ratio rely on those conditions at every step. Trouble can also show up after the job’s done, as warped panels, peeling finishes, or failed repairs eat up warranty dollars and frustration.
Respect for the technical data sheet fixes plenty of these headaches. Before opening a container, double-check the recommended curing method, whether it involves heat, a catalyst, or ambient air. Use proper tools to measure temperature and humidity instead of guessing. If a manufacturer advises a specific mix ratio or temperature range, stick to it. For specialist jobs, some invest in climate-controlled curing stations to eliminate risk from the weather.
Training remains the best safeguard. Giving staff clear, hands-on instruction about accurate mixing and controlled curing pays off. Businesses that spend time teaching the “why” alongside the “how” run into fewer surprises. In the end, the right conditions—and the right catalysts—aren’t details to overlook. They’re the foundation for products built to last.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | [2-(oxiran-2-yl)cyclohexyl]ethyl trimethoxysilane |
| Other names |
2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane Trimethoxy[2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)ethyl]silane Silane, [2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]trimethoxy- A-186 Momentive A-186 Dynasylan GLYMO |
| Pronunciation | /tuː θriːˌɪˈpɒksiˌsaɪ.kloʊˈhɛksɪl ˈɛθɪl traɪˌməˈθɒk.siˌsaɪˈleɪn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 2530-83-8 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3491987 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:600288 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL3231021 |
| ChemSpider | 21360369 |
| DrugBank | DB14671 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03e2e4fb-4e37-4b10-bcf8-74f4e67d212d |
| EC Number | 219-941-5 |
| Gmelin Reference | 1139958 |
| KEGG | C19693 |
| MeSH | C07.353.390.416.600.100 |
| PubChem CID | 677332 |
| RTECS number | VS7310000 |
| UNII | 8B1B942302 |
| UN number | UN2735 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID3024273 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C12H22O4Si |
| Molar mass | 262.38 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.07 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 2.2 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.13 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 11.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 1.6 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4500 |
| Viscosity | 10 mPa·s (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 4.30 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 546.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -634.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4094.7 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | V09AX |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | H319 Causes serious eye irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS09 |
| Pictograms | GHS07,GHS09 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315, H319, H411 |
| Precautionary statements | P261, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-1-0 |
| Flash point | >110°C (230°F) |
| Autoignition temperature | 210 °C (410 °F; 483 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (Oral, Rat): > 5,000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Rat (oral): 22600 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | GV0195000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 2 mg/m³ |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane Vinyltrimethoxysilane Phenyltrimethoxysilane 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane Methyltrimethoxysilane [2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]triethoxysilane |