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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Physical & Chemical properties

Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals

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Administrative data

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Endpoint:
stability: thermal, sunlight, metals, other
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Peer reviewed data
Endpoint:
thermal stability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
GLP compliance:
no
Test substance thermally stable:
no
Key result
Operating temp.:
130 °C
Transformation products:
yes
Remarks:
methane, ethane, ethylene, methyl alcohol and carbon dioxide

When peracetic acid is heated to 130 °C in a bomb, it explodes and is reported to yield methane, ethane, ethylene, methyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. It is also reported that peracetic acid decomposed on heating to form carbon dioxide, formic acid, and glycolic acid.


 


It is known that peroxy acid decompose in the presence of traces of heavy metal ions. To stabilize a peracetic acid solution the use of small quantities of a metal sequestering agent is recommended.

Description of key information

Decomposition of peracetic acid can be initiated by high temperatures, high pH and contamination with metal catalysts such as copper, iron and chromium.

Additional information

Decomposition of peracetic acid is strongly exothermic, liberating large volumes of oxygen gas. 5% and 15% peracetic acid products were not explosive: they exhibited no mechanical or thermal sensitivity. In literature, it is reported that peracetic acid is insensitive to impact, but explodes violently when heated to 110 °C (highly concentrated peracetic acid; no concentration figure provided in publication). For practical reason it is therefore impossible to obtain pure peracetic acid.

Justification for classification or non-classification