Organic peroxides can be divided into 7 types from A to G according to their ability to explode, catch fire or react violently. Type A is the most dangerous, while Type G is the smallest.
Type A Organic peroxides are very dangerous and can spontaneously explode in their own packaging. Type A Organic peroxides are difficult to find anywhere except in chemical manufacturing facilities.
Type G Organic peroxides has almost no fire hazard. Most facilities only use E, F, or G models. These will not explode and have a low fire risk, but they still have corrosiveness and toxicity.
If they become dry or mixed with other chemicals, they will also change their type and become more dangerous.
The peroxide bond in Organic peroxides is longer and weaker than that in oxygen, and the internal energy is higher. Whether from the perspective of molecular structure or thermodynamics, the peroxide bond in Organic peroxides is unstable, with a tendency to release energy into a stable structure. The structural characteristics of the peroxide bond determine that Organic peroxides has the following chemical properties:
(1) It has a strong oxidizing effect.
(2) It has the nature of natural decomposition, and the content of active oxygen of most Organic peroxides will gradually or quickly decrease above 40 ℃.
(3) Alkaline substances can promote their decomposition, especially the hydroxides of alkali metals and alkali earth metals (solid or high concentration solutions) can cause severe decomposition,
(4) Strong acids such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid can cause severe decomposition.
(5) Salts such as iron, cobalt, and manganese significantly promote their decomposition.
(6) Iron, lead, and copper alloys can promote their decomposition.
(7) Amines and other reducing agents significantly promote their decomposition.
Almost all Organic peroxides are thermally unstable, and their decomposition rate increases with the increase of temperature. Once they reach the temperature where decomposition can be completed instantly, they will explode. The minimum temperature required for the thermal decomposition of peroxides to form free radicals is called the critical temperature, and the initiation reaction usually occurs above the critical temperature. Organic peroxides will decompose to produce free radicals under heat or light. The half-life varies with various factors, including the type of Organic peroxides, substituents, temperature and pressure. So, when storing, it is necessary to avoid low temperature and light, and the time should not be too long. You can use (buy) as much as you want. If it is not used for a long time, it should be decisively and promptly quenched and disposed of as scrap.