Peroxidizable Chemicals
Peroxidizable chemicals such as those listed below should be dated upon receipt. Storage and use should be limited to the time indicated for each class or list. Containers which show signs of iron oxide or copper oxide should be handled with extra precaution since many metal oxides promote peroxide formation.
The most hazardous compounds - those that form peroxides without being concentrated, which can accumulate a hazardous level of peroxides simply on storage after exposure to air - are in List A. Compounds forming peroxides that are hazardous only when concentrated are in List B. List C consists of vinyl monomers that may form peroxides which can initiate explosive polymerization of the monomers.
Common Compounds that Form Peroxides During Storage
| List A (Three Months) |
List B (Twelve Months) |
List C (Twelve Months) |
| Peroxide Hazard On Storage | Peroxide Hazard On Concentration | Hazard Due to Peroxide Initiation Of Polymerization* |
| Isopropyl Ether | Ethyl Ether | Styrene |
| Divinyl Acetylene | Tetrahydrofuran | Butadiene |
| Vinylidene Choride | Dioxane | Tetrafluoroethylene |
| Potassium Metal | Acetal | Vinyl Acetylene |
| Sodium Amide | Vinyl Ethers | Vinyl Acetate |
| 2-Butanol | Vinyl Chloride | |
| 2-Propanol | Vinyl Pyridine | |
| Cyclohexene | Chloroprene | |
| Cumene | ||
| Methylcyclopentane | ||
| Methyl Acetylene | ||
| Diacetylene | ||
| Dicyclopentadiene | *When stored as a liquid, the peroxide- forming potential increases and certain monomers (butadiene, chloroprene, and tetrafluoroethylene) should be considered a List A compound. |
Questions regarding peroxidizable chemicals may be addressed to safety@ohio.edu or call 740-593-1666.