Peroxides and peroxide-forming chemicals

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A variety of organic compounds spontaneously form peroxides by a free radical reaction with O2. Peroxides can accumulate during storage and may explode when subjected to heat, friction or shock.  When using peroxides or peroxide-forming chemicals:
  • Date each container upon arrival, when opened, and periodically after testing with peroxide strips.
  • Store in a sealed, air-tight, light-resistant container in a cool and dark place.
  • Keep diethyl ether in the original steel containers as iron acts as a peroxide inhibitor.
Inhibitors such as BHT are commonly added to peroxide-forming chemicals to prevent peroxide accumulation. If a peroxide-forming chemical exhibits discoloration, crystallization, liquid stratification or rust on the container, it should be treated as potentially explosive. Do not open the container, contact EHS for help. Peroxides can be quenched with a chemical reducing agent, such as aq. sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3), or by passing them through activated alumina. Peroxides like H2O2 and other organic peroxides are incompatible with acetone, copper, chromium, alcohols, anilines, nitromethane, and strong acids, as these can form explosive mixtures. Peroxide-forming chemicals are classified by severity of the hazard.
  • Class A: Severe peroxide hazard without concentration (dispose 3 months after opening) Butadiene, vinylidene chloride, chloroprene, tetrafluoroethylene, methacrylate, divinyl acetylene, divinyl ether, isopropyl ether, K/Na amide. liquid monomer
  • Class B: Hazard due to peroxide concentration (dispose 6 months after opening) Acetal, acetaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, 2° alcohols, cumene, decahydronaphthalene, diacetylene, dicyclopentadiene, ethers, vinyl ethers, diethylene glycol, dioxanes, methyl acetylene, methyl iBu ketone, 3-methylbutanol, 4-pentenol, 2-phenylethanol, THF, tetrahydronaphthalene.
  • Class C: Shock and heat sensitive (dispose after 12 months): Acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, chlorotrifluoroethylene, methyl methacrylate, styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetylene, vinyl Cl, vinyl pyridine 
 

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