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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Organic Chemistry Forum for Graduate Students and Professionals => Topic started by: almfranc on April 19, 2013, 04:09:41 PM

Title: Disposal of peroxide-forming chemicals
Post by: almfranc on April 19, 2013, 04:09:41 PM

Trying to purify a polymer sample and the protocol calls for tert-butyl-methyl ether (MTBE). I'm safety officer for the lab and I need to know if I can dispose of the excess ether in the standard organic solvent waste; this is a peroxide-forming chemical and it would be pretty poor policy if I improperly disposed of this and caused an explosion. Suggestions?

Title: Re: Disposal of peroxide-forming chemicals
Post by: Corribus on April 19, 2013, 04:27:58 PM

As far as I  understand, MTBE doesn't form peroxides as readily as other ethers.  Especially if you're diluting it with other solvents.  I know this is why it's the ether of choice for many industrial applications.

Title: Re: Disposal of peroxide-forming chemicals
Post by: almfranc on April 19, 2013, 05:40:09 PM

Thank you! Contacted the waste disposal company and they didn't seem too guffed about it. Seems the ether will be sufficiently diluted in the other organic solvents. Problem = solved (or solvated, depending on how you look at it!)