Compounds known to autoxidize to form peroxides
- Ethers containing primary and secondary alkyl groups (never distill an ether before it has been shown to be free of peroxide)
- Compounds containing benzylic hydrogens
- Compounds containing allylic hydrogens (C=C—CH)
- Compounds containing a tertiary C—H group (e.g., decalin and 2,5-dimethylhexane
- Compounds containing conjugated, polyunsaturated alkenes and alkynes (e.g., 1,3-butadiene, vinyl acetylene)
- Compounds containing secondary or tertiary C—H groups adjacent to an amide (e.g., 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone)
Disposal Schedule:
Discard within 12 months of date received, within 3 months of date opened, or within
manufacturer expiration date, whichever comes first.
Examples
Isopropyl ether
Butadiene (liquid monomer)
Chlorobutadiene (chloroprene)
Potassium amide
Potassium metal
Sodium amide (sodamide)
Tetrafluoroethylene
Divinyl acetylene
Vinylidene chloride
Disposal Schedule:
Discard within 12 months of date received, within 6 months of date opened, or within
manufacturer expiration date, whichever comes first.
Examples
Acetal
Cumene
Cyclohexene
Cyclooctene
Cyclopentene
Diaacetylene
Dicyclopentadiene
Diethylene glycol dimethyl
ether (diglyme)
Diethyl ether
Dioxane (p-dioxane) e.g. 1,4 dioxane
Ethylene glycol dimethyl
ether (glyme)
Furan
Methyl acetylene
Methyl cyclopentane
Methyl-isobutyl ketone
Tetrahydrofuran
Tetrahydronaphthalene
Vinyl ethers
Disposal Schedule:
Discard within 12 months of date received, within 6 months of date opened, or within
manufacturer expiration date, whichever comes first. If substance does not have inhibitor,
discard within 24 hours of opening the container!
Examples:
Acrylic acid
Butadiene (gas)
Chlorotrifluoroethylene
Ethyl acrylate
Methyl methacrylate
Styrene
Vinyl acetate
Vinyl chloride
Vinyl pyridine
Source:
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards:
Updated Version.
National Research Council (US) Committee on Prudent Practices in the Laboratory.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011.