Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments

54 DIY Science: Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments

Chemical Incompatible with

Acetic acid Chromic acid, ethylene glycol, hydroxyl compounds, nitric acid, perchloric acid,

permanganates, peroxides

Acetone Concentrated nitric/sulfuric acid mixtures, hydrogen peroxide, strong bases

Ammonium nitrate Acids, chlorates, combustible organic powders, flammable liquids, metal powders, nitrites,

sulfur

Charcoal (activated) Calcium hypochlorite, oxidizers

Chlorates Acids, ammonium salts, combustible organic powders, metal powders, sulfur

Chlorine

Acetylene, ammonia, benzene, butadiene, butane, hydrogen, metal powders, methane,

propane, sodium carbide, organic solvents

Copper Acetylene, hydrogen peroxide

Hydrocarbons Bromine, chlorine, chromic acid, fluorine, sodium peroxide

Ferrocyanides, ferricyanides Acids

Hydrogen peroxide Acetone, alcohols, aniline, chromium, copper, iron, flammable liquids, metals and metal

salts, nitromethane, organic materials, nitrates

Hypochlorites Acids, activated carbon/charcoal

Iodine Acetylene, anhydrous or aqueous ammonia, hydrogen

Nitrates Sulfuric acid

Nitric acid

Acetic acid, aniline, brass, chromic acid, copper, flammable liquids and gases, heavy metals,

hydrocyanic acid, hydrogen sulfide

Nitrites Acids

Oxalic acid Mercury, silver

Potassium chlorate Sulfuric acid and other strong acids

Potassium permanganate Benzaldehyde, ethylene glycol, glycerol, sulfuric acid

Silver Acetylene, ammonium compounds, fulminic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid

Sodium nitrite Ammonium salts

Sulfides Acids

Sulfuric acid Chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates

The best ways to avoid dangerous chemical incompatibilities are to store chemicals safely and with regard to their possible
interactions; to study the MSDS for each chemical you purchase, paying particular attention to listed incompatibilities; and to use the
minimum quantities of chemicals necessary to complete each experiment. Finally, NEVER MIX CHEMICALS RANDOMLY.

TABLE 4-2: Specific chemical incompatibilities (not exhaustive)