Why do some of my solvents need expiration dates? Some solvents self-oxidize once exposed to oxygen, forming explosively unstable organic peroxides. Because radical isomerization plays a major role in peroxide formation, light exposure helps to catalyze it....
What are the hazards of hydrogen gas? Hydrogen gas (CAS# 1333-74-0) is not toxic to breathe, although it can function as an asphyxiant if it displaces enough breathable air. Hydrogen gas has a low LEL and a broad flammability range, so the flammability/explosivity...
Why does nitric acid have an SOP when the other strong acids don't? There are six “strong” acids noted in general chemistry textbooks for their ability to fully dissociate in water: hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid,...
I've worked with corrosives before. What makes HF and other fluorides special? The chemicals below, and related soluble fluoride salts, release fluoride ions (F-): ammonium fluoride (CAS# 12125-01-8) ammonium bifluoride (CAS# 1341-49-7) hydrofluoric acid (CAS#...
DMSO is the classic polar aprotic solvent. It's used in lots of known reactions. Why should I worry? DMSO decomposes with heating, and the decomposition products catalyze further decomposition, resulting in a runaway reaction that has caused explosions resulting in...
