
7
Reactive chemicals
From Chapter 3 all chemical reactions involve energy changes as a combination of activation
energy and reaction energy. Whilst in some cases the heat of reaction is absorbed into the products
and the reaction cools (endothermic reactions), most reactions evolve energy as heat (exothermic
reactions), and sometimes as light and sound. When the heat liberated or absorbed cannot be
accommodated by the surrounding environment hazards are presented which can result in material
damage. This can arise because either the amount of energy (thermodynamics) or the rate of
energy release due to the speed of reaction (reaction kinetics) is excessive. The aim therefore is
to establish the thermal stability of the system and then to control the extent and rate of heat
release so as to minimize risk from energetic hazards. Thousands of reactive hazards have been
documented by Bretherick (see Bibliography). The present chapter provides an insight into the
hazards and the basic precautions to control the risk.
Reactive chemical hazards may arise from the inherent properties of the chemicals handled,
used or disposed of and/or from their admixture or processing.
A hazard may arise with a chemical because of its tendency to decompose spontaneously or to
react violently on contact with other common chemicals, as illustrated in Figure 7.1. The case of
pyrophoric chemicals is summarized in Chapter 6; some dangerous reactions of compressed gases
are mentioned in Chapter 9; other cases are summarized here.
However, extreme caution is necessary with mixed chemical systems since many which are
thermodynamically unstable exhibit considerable kinetic stability. The kinetic barrier to stability
may be overcome if traces of catalyst are present, and result in a violent reaction. The most
common catalysts derive from metals, or their compounds, and the unpredictable behaviour of
many reactions arises from the unwitting presence of impurities. Other catalysts include acids,
bases, organic free-radical precursors, etc. Hence any system must be treated with care which
(a) is thermodynamically unstable or
(b) may contain a catalyst, or impurities which could serve as a catalyst.
Water-sensitive chemicals
Some chemicals are ‘water-sensitive’: in contact with water they can generate flammable or toxic
gases and/or undergo a vigorous reaction. Refer to Table 7.1. Such reactions can cause overpressure
in sealed equipment or pipework. Selected water-sensitive chlorine compounds are given in Table
7.2. With flammable gas generation the heat of reaction may cause ignition, depending upon the
compound in question, as illustrated by the list of hydrides in Table 7.3.