3.1 Common Incompatibles

Do not store incompatible chemicals in close proximity to each other. In an earthquake, fire, or other spill, they could mix and react violently and/or release poisonous gas.

Laboratory Material

Incompatible With

Alkali metals like calcium, potassium, and sodium

water, carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, other chlorinated hydrocarbons

Acetic Acid

chromic acid, nitric acid, hydroxyl-containing compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid, peroxides, permanganates

Acetone

concentrated sulfuric or nitric acid mixtures

Acetylene

copper (tubing), halogens, silver, mercury, and their compounds

Ammonia, Anhydrous

mercury, halogens, calcium hypochlorite, hydrogen fluoride

Ammonium Nitrate

acids, metal powders, flammable liquids, chlorates, nitrates, sulfur, finely divided organics or combustibles

Aniline

nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide

Bromine

ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane, hydrogen, sodium carbide, turpentine, finely divided metals

Chlorates

ammonium salts, acids, metal powders, sulfur, carbon, finely divided organics, combustibles

Chromic Acid

acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, alcohol, glycerine, turpentine, other flammable liquids or combustible materials

Chlorine

ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, benzene, other petroleum fractions, hydrogen, sodium carbide, turpentine, finely divided powdered metals

Cyanides

acids

Hydrogen Peroxide

copper, chromium, iron, most metals or their respective salts, flammable liquids or combustible materials, aniline, nitro-methane

Hydrogen Sulfide

nitric acid, oxidizing gases

Hydrocarbons (general)

halogens, chromic acid, sodium peroxide

Iodine

acetylene, ammonia, chlorine

Mercury

acetylene, ammonia, lithium

Nitric Acid

acetic, chromic, and hydrocyanic acids, aniline, carbon, hydrogen sulfide, f lammable material, readily nitrated substances

Oxygen

oils, grease, hydrogen; flammable materials

Oxalic Acid

silver, mercury, chlorites, strong oxidizers

Perchloric Acid

acetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys, alcohol, paper, wood, other organic materials

Potassium Permanganate

glycerine, ethylene glycol, benzaldehyde, sulfuric acid

Sodium Peroxide

any oxidizable substances

Sulfuric Acid

chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates