Incompatibility of chemicals

Written by J.A Dobado | Last Updated on April 22, 2024

What is incompatibility of chemicals?

Many chemical products, in addition to presenting risks by themselves, can give rise to dangerous reactions when in contact with other products. Thus, they can undergo an uncontrolled chemical reaction that can lead to:

• Emission of toxic gases.
• Emission of corrosive or flammable gases.
• Formation of corrosive liquids.
• Explosive reactions.
• Formación de productos sensibles a fricción o choque.
• Reacciones exotérmicas.
• Explosiones y/o incendios.
• Generation of gases that can break the container.
• Heating of substances that initiates decomposition or uncontrolled reaction.
• Reduction of the thermal stability of a substance.
• Degradation of the quality of stored products.
• Deterioration of containers (packaging, labels, etc.)

Especially in storage areas, whether of chemicals used as raw materials or final products of any chemical industry, there is a risk of chemical incompatibility.

Most common incompatibilities

The most common incompatibilities are summarized in the following list:

• Strong acids versus strong bases. For example, H₂SO₄ with NaOH.
• Strong acids versus weak acids that give off toxic gases. For example, HCl with cyanides or sulfides.
• Oxidantes frente a reductores. For example, HNO₃ with organic compounds.
• Water versus various compounds. For example, boranes, anhydrides, carbides, trichlorosilanes, hydrides, alkali metals.
• Oxidizers against nitrates, halogenates, oxides, peroxides, fluorine.
• Reducing agents against flammable materials, carbides, nitrides, hydrides, sulfides, alkyl metals, aluminum, magnesium and zinc powder.
• H₂SO₄ against sugar, cellulose, perchloric acid, potassium permanganate, chlorates, sulfocyanides.

Table of incompatibilities

In Table 1, chemicals are classified into 23 groups and groups that are incompatible with each other. This is not an exhaustive description, but rather a guideline for handling and storing these products.

References

• Isac-García, J.; Dobado, J. A.; Calvo-Flores, F. G.; and Martínez-García, H. (2015). Experimental Organic Chemistry Laboratory Manual. Elsevier Science & Technology. ISBN: 978-0-12-803893-2

Articles on the website