[Nhcoll-l] Safety issue: peroxide formation of 2-propanol (isopropanol)?

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi all,

last Friday we came across a case of white crystal deposits in an dried up specimen jar. The specimens were part of a larger collection that were kept for several decades in isopropanol (2-propanol).

Evaluating the situation, the colleague searched the internet and came across safety warnings that peroxide formation has been observed in isopropanol containers. Recently (2023), MSU issued new safety requirements for 2-propanol storage: https://ehs.msu.edu/news/2023-01-13-propanol.html

Apparently, there is a high risk for the formation of peroxides in storage containers where isopropanol is kept for > 10 years, which might be even higher in jars that have a history of topping up, for example if alcohol denatured with diethyl ether where used, or, specimens releasing  3-methyl-1-butanol (many herby and fruits, e.g. hops, mint, rosemary or bananas, zea, apples) or acetaldehyde, because of potentially harmful secondary reactions.

Such mixtures may build up in fluid waste containers, where storage fluids that can auto-oxidise under normal storage conditions, could form organic peroxides: https://www.bu.edu/ehs/files/2011/01/Management-and-Safety-of-Peroxide-Forming-Chemicals.pdf

There are quite a few German official websites issued by authorities that caution that isopropanol that has been kept in containers for several years and came in to contact with oxygen can build triacetontriperoxid (also aceton peroxide, triperoxide or TATP)

Has anyone came across similar situations and can share further information?


All the best

Dirk


https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/sm/gesundheit/Arbeitsschutz/Gefahrstoffe%2C-Sprengstoffe%2C-Biostoffe-und-Gentechnik/

https://hlfgp.hessen.de/sites/hlfgp.hessen.de/files/2023-09/merkblatt_abfall_isopropanol_2023-09-08.pdf

https://bildung.ukrlp.de/fileadmin/ukrlp/daten/pdf/Informationsblaetter/Umgang_mit_ueberlagertem_Isopropanol.pdf

https://naturwissenschaften.bildung-rp.de/fileadmin/user_upload/naturwissenschaften.bildung-rp.de/Sicherheit/Isopropanol/Spontane_Bildung_von_explosiven_Peroxiden.pdf


--
****

Dirk Neumann
Collection Manager, Hamburg

Postal address:
Museum of Nature Hamburg
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis
of Biodiversity Change
Dirk Neumann
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Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst

--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst
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