ya okey anyway i got a question. i heard from many sites that if you leave any form of ether open to oxygen for a few days that it will form a highly flammable/explosive peroxide(more so than it already is). i was wondering if this was true, and if so how strong of an explosive or how strong a flame would it be?

im not sure at all but if you left it out you wouldnt have nothing left would you? cause wouldnt it all evaporate? dont mind me just putting in my 2 cents

i agree with sitback,,

you leave ether open for a few days and it will evaporate,,

but between the time of opening it and it all evaporating,,things may happen..

actually it builds the explosive peroxides as it sets in the sealed storage container.

dont know how big the explosion would be. it would all depend on how much ether was in the storage container. seems i remember that a quart of ether had the same explosive energy as a half stick of dynamite.

Using hydrogen peroxide you could form ether peroxide or other products and maybe a cycloperoxide. But just theoretically as...

1. You wont know the reaction's kinetics

2. Nor the stability of the products

So You can make a simple experiment with ether (ehtyl methyl ether or isopropyl ether) and an oxidising factor. I suggest hydrogen peroxide.

You may have to use a catalyst, such as an acid.

I really doubt a quart of ether has the same amount of force as a half stick of 'dynamite', id assume more in the area of an m80 sized piece of ap tops,

Peroxides form with air more than in sealed containes as well.

~H

it can form in the container as wicked said

and it does have a lot of explosive potential

if aeriated(sp)

quote:Originally posted by Halifax:

I really doubt a quart of ether has the same amount of force as a half stick of 'dynamite', id assume more in the area of an m80 sized piece of ap tops,

Peroxides form with air more than in sealed containes as well.

~H

would you care to bet on that? 1st you say you doubt and you assume. i on the other hand know what i am saying to be fact. how the fuck can it form explosive peroxides when exposed to air when in fact when exposed to air it evaporates very quickly. explosive peroxides form when its in a sealed container, period. do you think something with the exploseive power of an m-80 can start a D-8 bulldozer? if that were true it would take 5 gallons of the shit to start an engine yet it only takes a few sprays. think about what you say before you say it. here is the MSDS on it, notice where it says: May form explosive peroxides on storage. you do know what STORAGE means dont you?

Safety (MSDS) data for diethyl ether

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General

Synonyms: ether, ethyl ether, ethoxyethane, 1,1'-oxybis ethane, aether, anesthetic ether, rcra waste number U117

Molecular formula: C4H10O

CAS No: 60-29-7

EC No: 200-467-2

Physical data

Appearance: colourless liquid

Melting point: -116 C

Boiling point: 34.6 C

Specific gravity: 0.71

Vapour pressure: 400 mm Hg at 18 C

Flash point: -40 C

Explosion limits: 1.7% - 48%

Autoignition temperature: 170 C

Water solubility: 6.9% (20 C)

Stability

Stable, but light-sensitive, sensitive to air. May contain BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) as stabiliser. Substances to be avoided include zinc, halogens, halogen-halogen compounds, nonmetals, nonmetallic oxyhalides, strong oxidising agents, chromyl chloride, turpentine oils, turps substitutes, nitrates, metallic chlorides.

Extremely flammable. This material is a serious fire and explosion risk. Vapour may travel considerable distances to ignition sources, which need not be an open flame, but may be a hot plate, steam pipe, etc. Vapour may be ignited by the static electricty which can build up when ether is being poured from one vessel into another. If large quantities of material are being poured, suitable precautions must be taken.

May form explosive peroxides on storage. Peroxides are generally higher-boiling than the materials from which they form. Consequently, if a peroxide-containing solution is heated, the residue becomes progressively more concentrated in peroxide and the risk of explosion increases rapidly. Vapour-air mixture explosive (note wide explosion limits). As at 6.11.97 regulated in the UK under the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972.



Toxicology

Harmful by ingestion, inhalation or through skin contact. May cause inebriation or coma. May cause allergic reaction. Skin, eye and respiratory system irritant. Typical 8h TWA 400 ppm.

Toxicity data

(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)

ORL-MAN LDLO 260 mg kg-1

ORL-RAT LD50 1215 mg kg-1

IHL-MUS LC50 31000 ppm/30m

Irritation data

(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)

EYE-HMN 100 ppm

SKN-RBT 360 mg open mld

SKN-GPG 50 mg/24h sev

Risk phrases

(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)

R12 R19 R22 R66 R67.



Transport information

(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section is given here.)

UN No 1155. IMO 3.1/1155. Packing group I. IMDG class 3.1.

Personal protection

Safety glasses. Good ventilation. Ensure sources of ignition are kept well away.

Safety phrases

(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)

S9 S16 S29 S33.



[This message has been edited by Wicked_Rain (edited 12-15-2003).]