ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
PEROXIDISABLE
COMPOUNDS
Compounds that form peroxides include:
- Ethers and acetals. Especially dangerous are cyclic ethers
(e.g., Tetrahydrofuran and dioxane) and ethers derived from
primary and secondary alcohols, particularly diisopropyl ether.
Ethers having an aromatic group bonded to the oxygen generally
do not peroxidize under normal conditions.
- Compounds containing benzylic hydrogen atoms, especially
tertiary hydrogens, (e.g., cumene, tetralin).
- Compounds containing allylic hydrogens (CH2=CHCH2R),
including most alkenes (e.g., cyclohexene, cyclooctene).
- Ketones, especially cyclic ketones
- Dienes and vinylacetylenes (e.g., divinylacetylene,
butadiene).
- Paraffinic and alkylaromatic hydrocarbons with tertiary
hydrogens (e.g., decalin, methylcyclopentane).
- Vinyl and vinylidene compounds (e.g., vinyl acetate,
vinylidene chloride).
- Aldehydes (particularly anhydrous acetaldehyde); ketones
with an alpha- hydrogen (methyl isobutyl ketone); ureas, amides,
lactams.
- Potassium metal (actually forms the yellow superoxide KO2)
and alkali metal amides such as sodium amide.
Peroxidizable Compounds Three Hazard
Classification
- Class A includes compounds that form dangerous explosive peroxides
without concentration. These include diisoproply ether,
divinylacetylene, vinylidene chloride, potassium metal, and
sodium amide.
- Class B includes compounds that form peroxides but
are only dangerous when concentrated by evaporation or
distillation. Examples are diethyl ether, dioxane, THF, tetralin,
and cyclohexene.
- Class C includes monomers in which peroxide formation
may initiate explosive polymerization. Examples are styrene,
butadiene, and vinyl monomers.
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REFERENCES