Hydrogen peroxide safety aspects

A survey, with many references, of 14 classes of preparative reactions involving hydrogen peroxide or its derivatives emphasises safety aspects of the various procedures [11]. Following the decomposition of 100 1 of 50% aqueous hydrogen peroxide which damaged the 630 1 stainless vessel rated at 6 bar, the effect of added contaminants and variations in temperature and pH on the adiabatic decomposition was studied in a 1 1 pressure vessel, where a final temperature of 310°C and a pressure around 200 bar were attained. Rust had little effect, but addition of a little ammonia (pH increased from 1.8 to 6.0) caused the induction period to fall dramatically, effectively from infinity to a few h at 40°C and a few min at 80°C. Addition of sodium hydroxide to pH 7.5 reduced the induction period at 24°C from infinity to about 4 min [12],... 

Possible hazards introduced by variations in experimental techniques in Kjeldahl nitrogen determination were discussed [1]. Modem variations involving use of improved catalysts and hydrogen peroxide to increase reaction rates, and of automated methods, have considerably improved safety aspects [2], An anecdote is given of the classic technique when sodium hydroxide was to be added to the sulphuric acid digestion and was allowed to trickle down the wall of the flask. It layered over the sulphuric acid. Gentle mixing then provoked rapid reaction and a steam explosion [3],... 

Solve engineering and safety aspects of in situ hydrogen peroxide production from hydrogen and oxygen... 

Hydrophilic peracids with less than four carbon atoms are effective bleaches, oxidizers, and disinfectants. The most important is peroxyacetic acid, which is often used in equilibrium mixture with acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide as a 5,10, or 15% active solution. Its characteristic odor and safety aspects, however, prevent its widespread use in homecare applications. 

See also Acetoacetyl-CoA in citric acid cycle, 6 633 Acetyl cyclohexanesulfonyl peroxide (ACSP), 74 282 78 478 Acetylene(s), 7 177-227, 227-228 25 633 addition of hydrogen chloride to, 73 821 from calcium carbide, 4 532, 548 carbometalation of, 25 117 as catalyst poison, 5 257t chemicals derived from, 7 227-265 decomposition of, 70 614 Diels-Alder adduct from cyclopentadiene, 8 222t direct polymerization, 7 514 economic aspects of, 7 216-217 explosive behavior of, 7 181-187 as fuel, 7 221-222 health and safety factors related to, 7 219... 

Among all EHS aspects, the safety concerns were the most significant. The use of flammable substances, especially hydrogen in combination with noble metal catalysts in C and D and possible peroxide formations in D, has to be addressed. Toxicity was a minor issue in all routes, except perhaps for sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, which have a very low workplace threshold value. In contrast, the eutrophication potential could be a major issue for the biochemical routes A and B. 

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