GN470094, *Handling Chemicals at SNL/CA*

# ATTACHMENT B -- DETERIORATING CHEMICALS

Subject Matter Expert: Al Buerer\
GN470094, Issue E

Revision Date: [October 31, 2008](../g094chg.htm#OCT31_corp34); Replaces
Document Dated: October 16, 2007

The following is a selection of chemical substances which can
deteriorate to a dangerous condition with age under common storage
conditions. The degree of the hazard will vary considerably with age and
the exact situation, but it is advisable to take precautions when
discarding, recycling, or otherwise handling old samples.

The chemical name is followed by a code indicating the deterioration
description.

Acetal (3)

Acetaldehyde diethyl acetal (3)

2-Acetyl furan (3)

Acetyl peroxide (1)

Aluminium chloride (5)

Aluminium lithium hydride (5)

Ammonia solution (5)

Ammonium dichromate (4)

Ammonium hyroxide (5)

Ammonium persulphate (5)

Anethole (3)

Anisaldehyde (3)

Anisole (3)

Anisyl chloride (5)

Aqua regia (5)

Benzenesulphonyl chloride (5)

Benzoyl peroxide (1)

Bleach (5)

Bleaching powder (5)

2-(2-Butoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate (3)

2-Butoxyethyl acetate (3)

*t*-Butyl hydroperoxide (4)

iso-Butyl ether (2)

n-Butyl ether (3)

n-Butyl glycidyl ether (3)

Calcium carbide (5)

Calcium hydride (5)

Calcium hypochlorite (5)

Cellosolve (3)

Chloroform (5)

Chromic acid (5)

Chromium trioxide (4)

Cleaning mixtures (5)

Cumene (3)

Cumene hydroperoxide (5)

Cyclohexene (3)

Cyclopentadiene (3)

Cyclopentene (3)

Decahydronaphthalene (3)

Decalin (3)

Di-allyl ether (3)

Di-iso-amyl ether (3)

Dibenzyl ether (3)

Di-iso-butyl ether (2)

Di-n-butyl ether (3)

Dicyclopentadiene (3)

1,1-Diethoxyethane (3)

Diethylacetal (3)

Diethyl azidoformate (4)

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (1)

Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (3)

Diethyl ether (3)

Diglyme (3)

Dihydropyran (3)

1,2-Dimethoxyethane (3)

Dimethoxymethane (3)

Dimethylamine (5)

2,4-Dinitrophenol (1)

2 ,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (1)

1,4-Dioxan (3)

Diphenyl ether (3)

Di-iso-propyl ether (2)

Di-n-propyl ether (3)

Ether (3)

Ethyl cellosolve (3)

Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (3)

Ethylene glycol ethyl ether acetate (3)

Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (3)

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (3)

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (3

Ethyl ether (3)

2-Ethoxyethanol (3)

2-Ethoxyethyl acetate (3)

Ethyl vinyl ether (2)

Formic acid (100%) (5)

Furan (3)

Glycidyl n-butyl ether (3)

Glyme (3)

Hydrogen peroxide (5)

Iodine pentoxide (4)

Isoamyl ether (3)

Isobutyl ether (2)

Isopentyl ether (3)

Isopropyl alcohol (3)

Isopropyl ether (2)

Isopropyl benzene (3)

Lauroyl peroxide (5)

Lithium aluminium hydride (5)

Lithium hydride (5)

Magnesium perchlorate (4)

Mercury fulminate (1)

2-Methoxyethanol (3)

Methylal (3)

Methyl cellosolve (3)

Methyl iso-butyl ketone (3)

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (1)

Methyl vinyl ketone (3)

Nitric acid (5)

Nitromethane (1)

Nitrosoguanidine (5)

Peracetic acid (1,4,5)

Perchloric acid (4)

Phosphorus trichloride (5)

Picric acid (1)

Picryl chloride (1)

Picryl sulphonic acid (1)

Potassium (metal) (1)

Potassium amide (1)

Potassium chlorate (4)

Potassium perchlorate (4)

Potassium persulphate (5)

Propan-2-ol (3)

Propargyl bromide (1)

Propargyl chloride (1)

Silicon tetrachloride (5)

Silvering solution (1)

Sodamide (1)

Sodium amide (1)

Sodium borohydride (5)

Sodium chlorate (4)

Sodium chlorite (4)

Sodium dithionite (5)

Sodium hydride (5)

Sodium hydrosulphite (5)

Sodium hypochlorite (5)

Sodium metal dispersions (1)

Sodium perchlorate (4)

Sodium peroxide (5)

Sodium persulphate (5)

Styrene (3)

Tetrahydrofuran (3)

Tetralin (3)

Thionyl chloride (5)

Trinitrobenzene (1)

Trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (1)

Urea nitrate (4)

Urea peroxide (5)

Vinyl acetate (3)

Vinylidene chloride (1)

Vinyl pyridine (3)

Zinc (5)

**\*Key:**

\(1\) Can deteriorate to a shock-sensitive explosive. Take exceptional
care if there is evidence of drying out, crystallization or
contamination. It may be very dangerous to attempt to open the
container.

\(2\) Forms peroxides, especially on exposure to air and light, making
the material liable to explode. This class is so dangerous that it
should not normally be distilled unless it has been very well
controlled. Material more than one year old should be discarded, even if
unopened. Containers should not be opened if there is any solid visible
around the closure or any evidence of crystals inside.

\(3\) Also forms peroxides. If very old or obviously in poor condition,
treat as (2). Otherwise, take care to test for peroxides before use or
recovery procedures.

\(4\) High energy materials which are sensitive to the presence of dust.
Clean the outside of containers before opening. If in doubt, do not
open. Mixtures of the material with dust, paper, or organics may ignite
or detonate when exposed to friction, e.g. on the threads of a
screw-capped container.

\(5\) Containers may have a high internal gas pressure owing to
decomposition. Open carefully behind a safety shield in a fume hood.

[Al Buerer, albuere@sandia.gov](mailto:ALBUERE@sandia.gov)\
Bob Goetsch, rsgoets@sandia.gov