What makes an epoxide stable?

Question

Overall ring strain seems to be a big issue when it comes to organic chemistry. That is why cyclopentane may be in an "envelope form" or why cyclobutane may be in a kinked, kite form. Both of these example molecules are not planar. So, why is epoxide (oxacyclopropane) a stable molecule, if at all?

Answer 1

Epoxides are stable because, like other ethers, they do not have a good leaving group. However, when added to reactions, the high strain of epoxides allows them to be very reactive and useful for chemists.