General Description
Colorless liquid that solidifies below -19°C Decomposes at 70°C. Flammable and a dangerous fire risk. Heating may cause explosion. Used as a polymerization initiator.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
tert-Butyl peroxypivalate explodes with great violence when rapidly heated to a critical temperature. Shock sensitive and detonable when pure [Bretherick 1979 p. 602].
Hazard
(Solution) Flammable, dangerous fire risk.
Oxidizing agent. May explode on heating.
Description
Tert-Butyl Peroxypivalate is a flammable and reactive chemical and a dangerous fire and explosion hazard. Tert-Butyl Peroxypivalate is a colorless to light yellow liquid. It is used as a low-temperature initiator for polymerising Ethylene, Vinyl Chloride, and other compounds.
Chemical Properties
Colorless liquid.
Insoluble in water and ethylene glycol; soluble in
most organic solvents.
Health Hazard
t-Butyl peroxypivalate is a mild irritant to theeyes and skin with low toxicity.
LD50 value, oral (rats): 4300 mg/kg.
Fire Hazard
The pure compound is dangerously shock
sensitive. It is sold commercially up to 75%
maximum concentration in mineral spirits.
This solution is reactive, oxidizing, and combustible;
flash point (open cup) 68°C (154°F).
Its burning is vigorous, which is difficult
to extinguish (NFPA 1997). It is sensitive
to shock and heat; self-accelerating decomposition
temperature 29°C (84°F); decomposition
of the 75% concentrated solution
may be explosive when heated. It may form
flammable decomposition products, which
can enhance the fire hazard. It may ignite
and/or explode in contact with accelerators,
acids, and combustible and readily oxidizable
substances.
Fight fires from a safe and explosionresistant
location. Use water from a sprinkler
or a fog nozzle. Since it decomposes
little above room temperature, giving off
flammable volatile products, care should be
taken for proper venting and to keep the containers
and vicinity cool.
storage
t-Butyl peroxypivalate is stored in a deepfreezebox with a free-opening cover at 18to -1°C (0-30°F) in a well-ventilated andunheated area, isolated from other chemicals.It is shipped in 5-gallon polyethylene containerswith vented caps and outer fiberboardcovering, maintained at -18 to -1°C (-0.4to 30.2°F).
Waste Disposal
Absorb the spilled material with vermiculiteor other noncombustible material.Then sweep up and place in a plastic containerfor disposal. It is burned in a shallowpit in a remote area by igniting with a longtorch.
