Final answer:
Epoximise most closely means to transform into an epoxy compound. It involves the transformation of reactive ethers, specifically epoxides, into durable materials used in various applications, such as epoxy paints and resins widely utilized for industrial purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term epoximise refers to a process characteristic of organic chemistry, specifically involving epoxides, which are types of reactive ethers. When considering the meaning of epoximise, which is a transfiguration, the closest definition would be to transform into an epoxy compound. This is because epoxides, also known as oxiranes, contain a three-membered ring with one oxygen atom and are highly reactive due to angle strain. These compounds can be cross-linked to form epoxy resins, which are polymers with a wide variety of industrial applications, including use in paints, adhesives, and coatings.
Epoxy resins play an essential role, for example, as an ingredient in epoxy paints, which are durable coatings developed by mixing resin with a hardener, causing a chemical reaction that creates a strong bond resistant to environmental conditions. Ethylene oxide, the simplest epoxide, is predominantly used in the synthesis of ethylene glycols, such as antifreeze. Lastly, the polymerization of ethylene to create polyethylene is an everyday application of polymer chemistry, producing materials for packaging.