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The most common compound found in UCSD laboratories that consistently forms dangerous amounts of organic peroxides is diethyl ether. Use the tables below to identify other peroxide formers in your chemical inventory. Note: Lists are illustrative but not exhaustive.
Classes of chemicals that can form peroxides upon aging:
| Class I: Unsaturated materials, especially those of low molecular weight, may polymerize violently and hazardously due to peroxide initiation. |
| Acrylic acid | Tetrafluoroethylene |
| Acrylonitrile | Vinyl acetate |
| Butadiene | Vinyl actylene |
| Chlorobutadiene (chloroprene) | Vinyl chloride |
| Chlorotrifluoroethylene | Vinyl pyridine |
| Methyl methacrylate | Vinylidene chloride |
| Styrene | |
| Class II: The following chemicals are a peroxide hazard upon concentration (distillation/ evaporation). A test for peroxide should be performed if concentration is intended or suspected. |
| Acetal | Dioxane (p-dioxane) |
| Cumene | Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme) |
| Cyclohexene | Furan |
| Cyclooctene | Methyl acetylene |
| Cyclopentene | Methyl cyclopentane |
| Diacetylene | Methyl-i-butyl ketone |
| Dicylopentadiene | Tetrahydrofuran |
| Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme) | Tetrahydronaphthalene |
| Diethyl ether | Vinyl ethers |
| Class III: Peroxides derived from the following compounds may explode without concentration. |
| Organic | Inorganic |
| Divinyl ether | Potassium metal |
| Divinyl acetylene | Potassium amide |
| Isopropyl ether | Sodium amide (sodamide) |
| Vinylidene chloride | |
Source: "Prudent Practices in the Laboratory — Handling and Disposal of Chemicals," National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 1995, page 56.
Learn more about working safely with organic peroxide formers by reading:
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