Incompatible Chemicals

ChemicalIncompatible with
Acetic acidChromic acid, nitric acid, hydroxyl compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid, peroxides, permanganates
AcetoneConcentrated nitric and sulfuric acid mixtures
Alkali and alkaline earth metals (such as powdered aluminum or magnesium, calcium, lithium, sodium, potassium)Water, carbon tetrachloride or other chlorinated hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, halogens
Ammonia (anhydrous)Mercury (e.g., in manometers), chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, iodine, bromine, hydrofluoric acid (anhydrous)
Ammonium nitrateAcids, powdered metals, flammable liquids, chlorates, nitrites, sulfur, finely divided organic combustible materials
AnilineNitric acid, hydrogen peroxide
Arsenical materialsAny reducing agent
AzidesAcids
BromineSee chlorine
Calcium oxideWater
Carbon (activated)Calcium hypochlorite, all oxidizing agents
ChloratesAmmonium salts, acids, powdered metals, sulfur, finely divided organic or combustible materials
Chromic acid and chromium trioxideAcetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, glycerol, alcohol, flammable liquids in general
ChlorineAmmonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane, methane, propane (or other petroleum gases), hydrogen, sodium carbide, benzene, finely divided metals, turpentine
Chlorine dioxideAmmonia, methane, phosphine, hydrogen sulfide
CopperAcetylene, hydrogen peroxide
Cumene hydroperoxideAcids (organic or inorganic)
CyanidesAcids
Flammable liquidsAmmonium nitrate, chromic acid, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, sodium peroxide, halogens
FluroineAll other chemicals
Hydrocarbons (such as butane, propane, benzene)Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, chromic acid, sodium peroxide
Hydrocyanic acidNitric acid, alkalis
Hydrofluoric acidAmmonia (aqueous or anhydrous)
Hydrofluoric acidAcids, activated carbon
HypochloritesAcids, activated carbon
IodineAcetylene, ammonia (aqueous or anhydrous), hydrogen
MercuryAcetylene, fulminic acid, ammonia
NitratesAcids
Nitric acid (concentrated)Acetic acid, aniline, chromic acid, hydrocyanic acid, hydrogen sulfide, flammable liquids and gases, copper, brass, any heavy metals
NitritesAcids
NitroparaffinsInorganic bases, amines
Oxalic AcidSilver, mercury
OxygenOils, grease, hydrogen; flammable liquids, solids, and gases
Perchloric acidAcetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys, alcohols, paper, wood, grease, oils
Peroxides, organicAcids (organic or mineral), avoid friction, store cold
Phosphorus (white)Air, oxygen, alkalis, reducing agents
PotassiumCarbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, water
Potassium chlorateSulfuric and other acids
Potassium perchlorateSulfuric and other acids
SelenidesReducing agents
SilverAcetylene, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, ammonium compounds, fulminic acid
SodiumCarbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, water
Sodium nitriteAmmonium nitrate and other ammonium salts
Sodium peroxideEthyl and methyl alcohol, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde, carbon disulfide, glycerin, ethylene glycol, ethylacetate, methyl acetate, furfural
SulfidesAcids
Sulfuric acidPotassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium permanganate (similar compounds of light metals, such as sodium, lithium)
TelluridesReducing agents