Examples of Highly Reactive Chemicals

The materials listed in the following table are rated at the highest reactivity level, grade 4, and are thus capable of detonation or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures. This includes materials that are sensitive to mechanical or thermal shock. The chemicals which are highlighted are the ones most commonly found in the lab.

Highly Reactive Materials

(rated grade 4 by NFPA)

            Solids                            Liquids       

 	ammonium perchlorate                3-bromopropyne
	1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene             t-butyl perbenzoate
 	benzoyl peroxide                     t-butylhydroperoxide
	diisopropyl peroxyhydrocarbonate        
	trinitrotoluene (TNT)                   t-butyl peroxyacetate
	o-dinitrobenzene                     cumene hydroperoxide
	picric acid (dry)                    diacetylperoxide
	trinitrobenzene                         t-dibutyl peroxide
                                                ethyl methyl ketone peroxide
                                                ethyl nitrite
                                                peroxyacetic acid

All the above compounds are extremely dangerous, with the risk involved in their storage and use usually far outweighing the benefit derived. If you have any of these chemicals in your lab and they are not absolutely essential in your research, you are strongly encouraged to tag them for disposal. If you must keep and use any of these materials, keep in mind that extreme caution must be exercised to protect the safety of all personnel. These chemicals should NEVER be stored with other chemicals and must be protected from physical damage. Many of these chemicals may not be stored within an occupied building.

Created and maintained by Nancy Magnussen
last revised 2 Aug 1997
nancy@isc.tamu.edu