Characteristics
Explosive chemicals can rapidly release tremendous amounts of destructive energy. Explosive chemicals can cause death, serious injury, or severe property damage. Heat, shock, friction, or even static electricity can initiate explosions of these chemicals. Due to the extreme sensitivity and handling risks, explosives are not permitted on campus.
In addition to explosive chemicals, there are chemicals that may become explosive, depending on how they are handled. This category is commonly referred to as potentially explosive chemicals and includes:
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pure chemicals or mixtures that may become explosive through contamination (e.g., perchloric acid contaminated with organic compounds or metals); and
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pure chemicals or mixtures that may degrade over time and become explosive (e.g., hydrated picric acid, which becomes explosive upon drying.) This category also includes certain alcohols and ethers that may accumulate explosive levels of peroxides by interacting with air. See Peroxide Forming Chemicals (section 5.11).
For more extensive information regarding potentially explosive chemicals, see the “Guidelines for Explosive and Potentially Explosive Chemicals Safe Storage and Handling”.
Examples of Explosive Chemicals
These materials are not permitted on campus unless purchased in solution or as a hydrate.
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Ethylene glycol dinitrate
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Benzoyl peroxide (97%) (dry)
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1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt)
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1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt)
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Tetrazole
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Picrylsulfonic acid / 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)
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2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)
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Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)
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Nitramine
Examples of Potentially Explosive Chemicals (which are normally stable)
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Organic chemicals, such as ethers, that form peroxides through exposure to air or light (See Peroxide Forming Chemicals, section 5.11.)
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Hydrated picric acid that becomes dry
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Sodium amide that reacts with air or moisture
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Certain alkyl nitrates (e.g., butyl nitrate or propyl nitrate) that become contaminated with nitrogen oxides
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Certain normally stable perchlorates (e.g., pyridinium perchlorate or tetraethylammonium perchlorate) that become unstable at elevated temperatures
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Nitrogen-rich chemicals (e.g. sodium azide, aluminum azide, 1,2,3-triazole )
Storage Precautions for Explosive and Potentially Explosive Chemicals
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For chemicals that may degrade to become potentially explosive, record the opening date and discard date directly onto the container.
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Keep explosive chemicals away from all ignition sources: open flames, hot surfaces, direct sunlight, spark sources.
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Contact EH&S immediately if you suspect a material may have become explosive. Post warning signs so others do not handle or disturb the material.
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Note: Most explosions occur while purifying or distilling mixtures. Therefore, use extreme caution before concentrating or purifying any mixture that may contain an explosive chemical .
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Contact ucbcho@berkeley.edu to discuss your storage and handling of potentially explosive chemicals.