Laboratory Safety Manual the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

CHAPTER 11
EXPLOSIVE AND REACTIVE CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Overview
This chapter provides resources that can help you prevent a laboratory accident due to
mishandling explosive substances, or mixing incompatible reactive substances. This chapter
details several specific examples of explosive and reactive hazards that are common in
laboratories.

Table of Contents
Section
I.
Introduction
II.
Explosive Materials in Laboratories
III.
Common Reactive Hazards in Laboratories

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CHAPTER 11
EXPLOSIVE AND REACTIVE CHEMICAL HAZARDS

I. Introduction
The variety of chemicals commonly present in the laboratory poses the potential for accidental
hazardous chemical reactions or explosions. A hazardous reaction occurs when two or more
chemicals that are incompatible combine, resulting in an undesirable or uncontrolled reaction
with adverse consequences. Such reactions may result when incompatible chemicals spill by
accident, inadvertently mix as chemical waste, or combine unwittingly during experimental
procedures.
Hazardous reactions may cause any one or more of the following:

dispersal of toxic dusts, mists, particles

explosion
fire
formation of flammable gases
formation of shock or friction sensitive compounds
formation of substances of greater toxicity
formation of toxic vapors
heat generation
pressurization in closed vessels
solubilization of toxic substances
violent polymerization
volatilization of toxic or flammable substances.

It is easy to become complacent with chemicals used everyday in routine procedures. It is

prudent to check for incompatibility whenever making a change in chemical procedures.
Chemical incompatibility is the primary reason you do not store chemicals on the shelf
alphabetically. If there is an accident, adverse reactions may make the situation worse.
Safety Data Sheets will list reactivity information in Section 10: Stability and Reactivity Data
within the form.References of incompatible chemical combinations include:

Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards; L. Bretherick, 6th edition 1999,

Manual of Hazardous Chemical Reactions, National Fire Protection Association Manual
491M,
Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administrations Chemical Reactivity Worksheet

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II. Explosive Materials in Laboratories

Explosives are solid, liquid, or gaseous chemicals that can cause a sudden, almost instantaneous
release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to shock, pressure, or high temperature. Their
acquisition, storage, use, and disposal are highly regulated, and these materials demand the
highest safety precautions.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
has an extensive set of regulations entitled Commerce in Explosives (27 CFR 555). These rules
govern the acquisition, use, storage, and security requirements for a specific list of explosive
materials, updated annually. The most recent list is in the January 8, 2010 Federal Register. This
list includes obvious explosive materials such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), lead azide, and
mercury fulminate. The list also includes more common laboratory chemicals in dried out or
non-reagent form such as dinitrophenol, picric acid, and sodium azide.
Public educational institutions such as UNC are exempt from several of the provisions of 27 CFR
555, except for storage requirements. If you use any substance on the ATF List of Explosive
Materials in your research, you might be required to comply with the requirements for magazine
storage, depending on the concentration of substance and whether it is packaged in reagent form.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) classifies explosive (Class 1) materials into one
of six divisions. Division 1.1 materials are the most hazardous due to their sensitivity and mass
explosion hazard, whereas Division 1.6 materials are insensitive and not a mass explosion
hazard. Other divisions fall between these extremes. The DOT also maintains a forbidden
explosives list. This list is similar but not identical to the ATF list. Under most circumstances,
you cannot receive forbidden explosives from vendors, drive them over the road, ship them to
other collaborators, or receive them from other off-site collaborators.
Please contact EHS first if you contemplate receiving, synthesizing (directly or as by-product),
using, or shipping any substance on the ATF List of Explosive Materials or the DOT Forbidden
Explosives List.

Figure 11.1 Common placards and pictograms for explosive materials (left to right):
DOT placard for Division 1.1 1.3 materials; DOT placard for Division 1.4 materials;
European Union glyph for explosive materials; iconic glyph for explosive materials.

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III. Common Reactive Hazards in Laboratories

Listed below are some specific, representative chemical reactive hazards in laboratories that can
lead to fires or explosions. Any solid, liquid, or gaseous chemical substances that have the
potential to react rapidly to release relatively large amounts of energy and/or dangerous byproducts (e.g., toxic gas) are considered reactive.
Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive; space does not permit us to list all the potential reactive
hazards that could exist in a laboratory. Consult the resources mentioned in Section I of this
Chapter for more information.

Acetylenic Compounds are explosive in mixtures of 2.5-80% with air at pressures of

two or more atmospheres. Acetylene (C2H2) subjected to an electrical discharge or high
temperature decomposes with explosive violence. Dry acetylides detonate on receiving
the slightest shock.

Alkyllithium compounds are highly reactive and pyrophoric. Examples include nbutylithium and methyl lithium. tert-Butyllithium solutions are the most pyrophoric of all
alkyllithium compounds. They may ignite spontaneously upon exposure to air. Fires or
explosion can occur upon contact with water or moist materials. It should be stored under
an inert atmosphere free from all ignition sources. For additional information, see Sigma
Aldrich Technical Bulletin AL-134 or Sigma Aldrich Technical Bulletin AL-164.

Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3) is a potentially dangerous material because if moisture is

present, decomposition can produce hydrogen chloride (HCl) and build up considerable
container pressure. When opening a bottle that has been stored for a long time,
completely enclose it in a heavy towel.

Ammonia (NH3) reacts with iodine to produce nitrogen tri-iodide (which is explosive),
and with hypochlorites to produce chlorine. Do not mix ammonia-based cleaners with
bleach. Mixtures of ammonia and organic halides sometimes react violently when heated
under pressure.

Aqua Regia is a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, and is sometimes used for
dissolving noble metals or as glassware cleaner. Try to avoid using aqua regia. If you
require it, make and use only what you need in a laboratory hood, and destroy it within
the hood after use. Do not store it in closed containers; attempts to store aqua regia will
most likely rupture the storage container. Upon generation, the nitric acid begins to
reduce, with evolution of toxic nitrogen dioxide gas.

Benzoyl Peroxide (C6H5CO2)2 is easily ignited and sensitive to shock. It decomposes

spontaneously at temperatures above 50oC (122oF), but can be desensitized by addition of
20% by volume of water.

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Carbon Disulfide (CS2) is highly toxic and highly flammable; when mixed with air, its
vapors can ignite by a steam bath or pipe, a hot plate, or a glowing light bulb. Carbon
disulfide catches fire spontaneously upon contact with a hot surface at temperatures
approximating or exceeding 80C (176oF).

Chlorine (Cl2) may react violently with hydrogen (H2) or with hydrocarbons when
exposed to sunlight.

Diazomethane (CH2N2) and related diazo compounds require extreme caution. They are
very toxic, and the pure forms (gases and liquids) explode readily. Diazald (a precursor
to diazomethane) is a high explosive. Solutions in ether are safer, and are rendered
harmless by dropwise addition of acetic acid.

Diethyl, Isopropyl, and other Ethers (particularly the branched-chain type) may
explode during heating or refluxing due to the presence of peroxides. Ferrous salts or
sodium bisulfite can decompose these peroxides, and passage over basic active alumina
will remove most of the peroxidic material. Mark containers with the date received, date
opened, and date to be discarded, and discard them before they are out of date. For more
detail, see Chapter 13: Safe Handling of Peroxidizable Compounds.

Diethylzinc [(C2H5)2Zn] is a violently pyrophoric (air-reactive), water-reactive, and lightsensitive liquid, and is generally sold in mixture with toluene, hexane, or other organic
solvents. At concentrations above 1.1 molar, store diethylzinc in an inert atmosphere at or
below room temperature. Do not use water for extinguishing fires; use dry powder, soda
ash, or lime.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide [(CH3)2SO] decomposes violently on contact with a wide variety of

active halogen compounds. Explosions from contact with active metal hydrides have
been reported. Its toxicity is still unknown, but it penetrates and carries dissolved
substances through the skin membrane.

Dinitrophenols [(NO2)2C6H3OH] such as 2,4-DNP and 2,6-DNP are sensitive to light,

heat, friction, and shock, and should never be allowed to dry out. 2,4-DNP forms
explosive salts with alkalis and ammonia. Oxidative decomposition can produce nitrogen
oxides. At water concentrations less than 15%, DNPs are explosive and subject to the
storage requirements of the ATF regulations.

Dry Ice, solid carbon dioxide (CO2), is not to be kept in a container that is not designed
to withstand pressure. Containers of other substances stored over dry ice for extended
periods generally absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) unless sealed with care. When removing
such containers from storage and allowing them to come rapidly to room temperature, the
CO2 may develop sufficient pressure to burst the container with explosive violence. On
removal of such containers from storage, loosen the stopper, or wrap the container in
towels and keep it behind a shield. Dry ice can produce serious burns; this is also true for

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all types of cooling baths. Do not store dry ice in walk-in cold rooms, as this may result
in oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

Drying Agents-Ascarite must not mix with phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) because the
mixture may explode if warmed with a trace of water. Because organic solvents may
extract the cobalt salts used as moisture indicators in some drying agents, the use of these
drying agents shall be restricted to gases.

Ethylene Oxide (C2H4O) can explode when heated in a closed vessel.

experiments using ethylene oxide under pressure behind suitable barricades.

Fulminic Acid (HCNO), its metal salts, and other compounds that contain the fulminate
ion (-CN+O-) are highly unstable due to the weak single N-O bond. Fulminates are
friction-sensitive primary explosives. The DOT Forbidden Explosives List includes
fulminic acid, and both the DOT List and the ATF List of Explosive Materials include
mercury fulminate and silver fulminate (not to be confused with fulminating silver, Ag3N,
an explosive decomposition product of Tollens Reagents that is also on the DOT List
refer to section on Tollens Reagents below). Contact EHS if your research must involve
fulminates.

Grignard Reagents (R-Mg-X) are alkyl- or aryl- magnesium halides that are highly
reactive with oxygen and carbonyls. They can spontaneously ignite in moist air; handle
Grignard reagents under inert gases such as argon or nitrogen, or in solvents such as
tetrahydrofuran or ethyl ether.

Halogenated Compounds such as chloroform (CHCl3), methylene chloride (CH2Cl2),

carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and other halogenated solvents shall not be dried with
sodium, potassium, or other active metal; violent explosions can result.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) stronger than three percent (3%) can be dangerous; in
contact with the skin, it may cause severe burns. Thirty percent H2O2 may decompose
violently if contaminated with iron, copper, chromium, other metals or their salts.
Stirring bars may inadvertently bring metal into a reaction, so use with caution.

Liquid-Nitrogen Cooled Traps, when open to the atmosphere, rapidly condense liquid
air. With coolant removal, a pressure buildup may occur sufficient to shatter glass
equipment. Only cool sealed or evacuated equipment with liquid nitrogen.

Liquid Nitrogen Storage Dewars are common for cryopreservation of samples.

Cryopreservation vials stored in the liquid phase of liquid nitrogen can rupture upon
warming if liquid nitrogen has infiltrated them, as the liquid nitrogen expands more than
600 times during evaporation. Store vials in the gaseous phase above the liquid nitrogen
to avoid infiltration.

Carry out

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Lithium Aluminum Hydride (LiAlH4) shall not be used to dry methyl ethers or
tetrahydrofuran; fires from this are common. The products of its reaction with CO2 can
be explosive. Do not use carbon dioxide or bicarbonate extinguishers against LiAlH4
fires;
use
sand
or
a
Class
D
extinguisher.

Nitric Acid (HNO3) is a powerful oxidizing agent that ignites on contact or reacts
Figure 11.2
This explosion within a
storage cabinet resulted
from nitric acid mixed with
an organic solvent in a
closed container. The
pressure build-up ruptured
the container and blew the
cabinet doors open.

explosively with a variety of organic substances including acetic anhydride, acetone,

acetonitrile, many alcohols, benzene, DMSO, and methylene chloride (Figure 11.2). Do
not store nitric acid with combustible organic acids such as acetic acid or formic acid.
Nitric acid can also react violently with many inorganic substances including bases,
reducing agents, alkali metals, copper, phosphorus, and ammonia.

Nitrocellulose [(C6H7O11N3)n] in dry, unstabilized form is explosive when heated or

subjected to sudden shock. Synonyms include Pyroxylin, Parlodion, and Guncotton.
Store moist, away from heat sources and sunlight, and segregated from other materials.
Nitrocellulose in membrane filters with polyester backing and mixed cellulose ester
(MCE) filters is more stable, but can still spontaneously combust when exposed to
oxidizing agents or sources of heat. Do not store filters where exposure to direct sunlight
could occur.

Nitroglycerin [C5H3(NO3)3] for research purposes is usually in tincture form, mixed with
alcohol. Do not allow the carrier to evaporate, as this will result in high explosive
nitroglycerin.

Oxygen Tanks can explode due to contact between oil and high-pressure oxygen. Do
not use oil on connections to an oxygen cylinder or regulator. Do not use soap-based leak
detector compounds on the connection threads of an oxygen cylinder.

Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive and toxic gas. It forms by the action of ultraviolet light
on oxygen (air) and, therefore, certain ultraviolet sources may require venting to the
exhaust hood.

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Palladium or Platinum on Carbon, Platinum Oxide, Raney Nickel, and other

Catalysts must be carefully filtered from catalytic hydrogenation reaction mixtures. The
recovered catalyst is usually saturated with hydrogen and highly reactive; thus, it will
ignite spontaneously on exposure to air. Particularly for large-scale reactions, do not
allow the filter cake to dry. Place the funnel containing the still-moist catalyst filter cake
into a water bath immediately after completion of the filtration. Another hazard in
working with such catalysts is the potential of explosion when adding additional catalyst
to a flask in which hydrogen is present.

Parr Bombs used for digestions or hydrogenations have failed and exploded. Handle all
high-stress equipment such as bomb calorimeters with care behind bench top shields, and
wear proper eye protection.

Perchlorate use should be avoided whenever possible. Do not use perchlorates as drying
agents if there is a possibility of contact with organic compounds, or in proximity to a
dehydrating acid strong enough to concentrate the perchloric acid (HClO4) to more than
70% strength (e.g., in a drying train that has a bubble counter containing sulfuric acid).
Use safer drying agents.
Seventy percent (70%) HClO4 can be boiled safely at approximately 200oC, but contact of
the boiling undiluted acid or the hot vapor with organic matter, or even easily oxidized
inorganic matter (such as compounds of trivalent antimony), will lead to serious
explosions. Do not allow oxidizable substances to contact HC1O4. Use beaker tongs,
rather than rubber gloves, when handling fuming HClO4. Carry out perchloric acid
evaporations and digestions in a dedicated hood that has a good draft, and that is
washable. Frequent (weekly) washing out of the hood and ventilator ducts with water is
necessary to avoid the danger of metal perchlorate buildup, which could lead to
spontaneous combustion or explosion. Contact Environment, Health & Safety to
determine if you have a washable hood.

Permanganates are explosive when treated with sulfuric acid. When both compounds
are in an absorption train, place an empty trap between them.

Peroxides (inorganic), when mixed with combustible materials, barium, sodium, and
potassium, form explosives that ignite easily.

Phosphorus (P), both red and white, forms explosive mixtures with oxidizing agents.
White (also called yellow) P should be stored under water, in glass, because it is
pyrophoric. The reaction of P with aqueous hydroxides gives phosphine (PH3), a highly
toxic gas that can also ignite spontaneously in air or explode.

Phosphorus Trichloride (PCl3) reacts with water to form phosphorous acid, which
decomposes on heating to form phosphine, which may ignite spontaneously in air or
explode. Take care when opening containers of PCl3, and do not heat samples that were
exposed to moisture without adequate shielding to protect you.
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Picric Acid [(NO2)3C6H2OH], also known as 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, can form

explosive compounds with many combustible materials. Do not store in metal
containers, as this can cause the formation of highly explosive metal picrate salts.
Picric acid in saturated aqueous solution is relatively stable, but becomes less stable
with age; in solutions of 10% to 40% water, it is considered a flammable solid. If
picric acid dries to less than 10% water (Figure 11.3), it is a high explosive (DOT
Class 1, Division 1.1), and must not be touched or disturbed except by trained highhazard removal specialists.

Figure 11.3 A bottle of dried-out picric acid, discovered in

a UNC laboratory in 2003, which has become a highly
shock-sensitive Division 1.1 explosive

Piranha Solutions (mixtures of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide) used for removal of
organic materials must never be stored, as they are likely to pressurize and explode their
container. Make only what you need, and discard immediately after use. The use of a
vented cap should be employed when storing as waste. Solutions are very energetic and
heat to over 100 oC (212oF) during mixing; handle with care.

Potassium (K) is in general more reactive than sodium, and ignites quickly on exposure
to humid air; therefore, handle it under the surface of a hydrocarbon solvent such as
mineral oil or kerosene (see Sodium). Potassium may also form peroxides even while
stored under oil.

Propargyl Bromide (C3H3Br), also known as 3-bromopropyne, is an unstable waterinsoluble compound that is usually stored in a solvent such as toluene. Do not allow
propargyl bromide to dry out, do not store it in an area near heat sources, and do not
expose it to mild mechanical shocks.

Residues from Vacuum Distillations (for example, ethyl palmitate) have exploded when
the still was vented to the air before the residue was cool. Avoid such explosions by
venting the still pot with nitrogen, cooling it before venting, or restoring the pressure
slowly.

Sodium (Na) shall be stored in a closed container under kerosene, toluene or mineral oil.
Destroy scraps of Na or K by reaction with n-butyl alcohol. Avoid contact with water, as
sodium reacts violently with water to form hydrogen with evolution of sufficient heat to

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cause ignition. Use sand or Class D extinguishers on alkali metal fires. Do not use CO2
fire extinguishers.
Sodium Amide (NaNH2) can rapidly absorb water and carbon dioxide from humid air.
Oxidation can produce sodium nitrite in a mixture that is unstable and may explode.
Store sodium amide in a cool, dry place in a tightly-sealed container under inert gas
blanket.

Sodium Azide (NaN3) can react with copper and lead (including copper and lead in
plumbing) to produce explosive copper or lead azide. Use caution when drain disposing
substances that contain ANY amount of sodium azide. Even the trace amounts (<1%)
used as an antimicrobial in many chemical mixtures and reagent test kits can react with
copper or lead in areas such as P-traps; there is the potential for prolonged contact
between the azide and lead/copper that might be in these traps. Do not drain dispose of
any substances with trace amounts of sodium azide.. Sodium azide is also highly toxic,
and can explosively decompose due to heat, shock, concussion, or friction. Do not mix
with sulfuric or nitric acid.

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) should be avoided, if possible, as a drying agent in desiccators. If

used, place glass beads in it to prevent splashing when the desiccator is moved. Avoid
using H2SO4 in melting point baths, use silicone oil instead. To dilute H2SO4, add the
acid slowly to cold water.

Tollens Reagents, which contain an aqueous diamine silver complex [Ag(NH3)2+] and
are used to test for aldehydes, must be freshly prepared and NEVER stored for longer
than 1-2 hours. Stored Tollens Reagent can form explosive fulminating silver (Ag3N).
Acidify with dilute acid before disposal.

Trichloroethylene (Cl2CCHCl) reacts under a variety of conditions with potassium or

sodium hydroxide to form dichloroacetylene (ClCCCl), which ignites spontaneously in
air and detonates readily even at dry-ice temperatures. The compound itself is toxic, so
take suitable precautions when using as a degreasing solvent. Methyl chloroform (1,1,1trichloroethane) is a less toxic substitute.

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