Didecanoyl peroxide is commercially available as white
flakes, with a musty odor, insoluble in water, but soluble
in organic solvents. It is used as polymerization initiator. The
deflagration hazard was measured for this organic peroxide
. The didecanoyl peroxide in powder form showed no
pressure rise using 5 g of igniter at 98% purity when using the
revised time–pressure test. This measurement determined
that didecanoyl peroxide is not a deflagration hazard.
White wet solid. May float or sink in water. bisdecanoyl peroxide is particularly sensitive to temperature rises, contamination, and friction. Above a given "Control Temperature" they decompose violently.
Peroxides, such as bisdecanoyl peroxide, are good oxidizing agents. Organic compounds can ignite on contact with concentrated peroxides. Strongly reduced material such as sulfides, nitrides, and hydrides may react explosively with peroxides. There are few chemical classes that do not at least produce heat when mixed with peroxides. Many produce explosions or generate gases (toxic and nontoxic). Generally, dilute solutions of peroxides (<70%) are safe, but the presence of a catalyst (often a transition metal such as cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel, or vanadium) as an impurity may even then cause rapid decomposition, a buildup of heat, and even an explosion. Solutions of peroxides often become explosive when evaporated to dryness or near-dryness. Danger of explosion when dry. May explode from heat, shock, friction or contamination. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
