Peroxide Forming Chemicals
Autoxidation in common laboratory solvents can lead to unstable and potentially explosive peroxide formation. The reaction can be initiated by exposure to air, heat, light, or contaminants. Most of these solvents are available with inhibitors to slow the peroxide formation. There are three categories of peroxide formers:
Group A chemicals which are form explosive levels of peroxides after prolonged storage, especially after exposure to air without concentration. These chemicals should be tested for peroxide formation before using or discarded after 3 months.
Group B chemicals form peroxides that are hazardous only on concentration by distillation or evaporation. These chemicals should be tested for peroxide formation or discarded after one year.
Group C chemicals consist of monomers which form peroxides that can initiate explosive polymerization. Inhibited monomers should be tested before use and discarded after12 months. Uninhibited monomers should be discarded 24 hours after opening.
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Group A
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Group B
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Group C
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Butadine
Chloroprene
Divinylacetylene
Isoproply ether
Potassium amide
Potassium metal
Sodium amide
Tetrafluoroethylene
Vinylidine chloride
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Acetal
Acetalaldehyde
Benzyl alcohol
Chlorofluoroethylene
Cumene (isopropylbenzene)
Cyclohexene
2-Cyclohexen-1-ol
Cyclopentene
Decahydronaphthalene (decalin)
Diacetylene (butadiyne)
Dicyclopentadiene
Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme)
Dioxane
Ethyl ether
Furan
4-Heptanol
2-Hexanol
Methyl acetylene
3-Methyl-1-butanol
Methyl-isobutyl ketone
Methylcyclopentane
2-Pentanol
4-Penten-1-ol
Phenylethanol
Tetrahydrofuran
Tetrahydronaphthalene
Vinyl ethers
Other secondary alcohols
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Butadiene **
Chlorobutadiene
Chloroprene **
Chlorotrifluoroethylene
Styrene
Tetrafluoroethylene **
Vinyl acetate
Vinyl acetylene
Vinyl chloride
Vinyl pyridine
Vinyldiene chloride
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