Classes of Peroxidizable chemicals

A.  Chemicals that form explosive levels of peroxides without concentration 

Butadiene Divinylacetylene Tetrafluoroethylene Vinylidene chloride
Chloroprene Isopropyl ether Potassium metal Potassium amide
Sodium amide      

Peroxide hazard after prolonged storage. Test for peroxide formation or discard after 3 months.

B.  Chemicals that form explosive levels of peroxides on concentration e.g. Distillation of Diethyl ether

Acetal Cyclopentene 2-Hexanol 2-Phenylethanol
Acetaldehyde Decahydronaphthalene Methylacetylene 2-Propanol
Benzyl alcohol Diacetylene 3-Methyl-1-butanol Tetrahydrofuran
2-Butanol Dicyclopentadiene Methylcyclopentane Tetrahydronaphthalene
Cumen Diethyl ether Methyl isobutyl ketone Vinyl ethers
Cyclohexane Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether 4-Methyl-2-pentanol Other secondary alcohols
Cyclohexanol Dioxanes 2-Pentanol 2-Cyclohexen-1-ol
Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether 4-Penten-1-ol Cyclohexene 4-Heptanol
1-Phenylethanol      

Test for peroxide formation or discard after 1 year

C. Chemicals that may autopolymerize as a result of peroxide accumulation

Acrylic acid Chlorotrifluoroethylene Vinyl acetate Vinyladiene chloride
Acrylonitrile Methyl methacrylate Vinylacetylene Butadiene
Styrene Vinyl chloride Chlorobutadiene Tetrafluoroethylene
Vinylpyridine      

Tests for peroxide formation or discard after 1 year.

References:

  1. Review of Safety Guidelines for Peroxidizable Organic Chemicals, Chemical Health and Safety, Sept/Oct: American Chemical Society, 1996
  2. Jackson, J. Chem. Ed., 1970