Bretherick's handbook of reactive chemical hazards : an indexed guide to published data

Violent reactions, fire or explosions are caused by unstable chemicals or the reactions between one or more reactive chemicals under the wrong conditions. This book is a reference work on these hazards and presents the state of current knowledge. It is essential for anyone working with chemicals. Although generally similar in layout to earlier editions, an examination of the text will show significant changes throughout. The scope of the book is very wide and attempts to include every chemical for which documented information on reactive hazards has been found. The full list covers some 4600 elements and compounds and as many again of secondary entries involving two or more compounds. The general presentation has been developed from that of earlier editions to improve access to the database of information contained within two sections. One of the most interesting features of the book is the many cross references throughout both sections which link similar compounds or incidents not obviously related Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, Fourth Edition, has been prepared and revised to give access to a wide and up-to-date selection of documented information to research students, practicing chemists, safety officers, and others concerned with the safe handling and use of reactive chemicals. This will allow ready assessment of the likely potential for reaction hazards which may be associated with an existing or proposed chemical compound or reaction system. A secondary, longer-term purpose is to present the information in a way which will, as far as possible, bring out the causes of, and interrelationships between, apparently disconnected facts and incidents. This handbook includes all information which had become available to the author by April 1989 on the reactivity hazards of individual elements or compounds, either alone or in combination. It begins with an introductory chapter that provides an overview of the complex subject of reactive chemical hazards, drawing attention to the underlying principles and to some practical aspects of minimizing such hazards. This is followed by two sections: Section 1 provides detailed information on the hazardous properties of individual chemicals, either alone or in combination with other compounds; the entries in Section 2 are of two distinct types. The first type of entry gives general information on the hazardous behavior of some recognizably discrete classes or groups of the 4,600 or so individual compounds for which details are given in Section 1. The second type of entry concerns reactive hazard topics, techniques, or incidents which have a common theme or pattern of behavior involving compounds of several different groups, so that no common structural feature exists for the compounds involved. Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, Fourth Edition provides information pertinent to the reactive hazards associated with the use of chemicals. This book discusses the development of the technologies, particularly in the area of safety research. Organized into two chapters, this edition begins with an overview of the advantages to be gained in grouping together elements or compounds showing similar reactivity or structure. This text then explores the underlying principles and practical aspects of minimizing reactive chemical hazards. Other chapters consider the rate of an exothermic chemical reaction, which determines the rate of energy release. This book discusses as well the factors that affect reaction kinetics, which are significant in relation to possible reaction hazards. The final chapter deals with reactions at high temperature that may be exceptionally hazardous attributed to the enhanced kinetic energy content of the system. This book is a valuable resource for chemists. Safety officers who are tasked for safety in industrial laboratories will also find this book extremely useful. Content: Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Foreword , Pages v-vi Preface to the Fourth Edition , Pages vii-viii Preface to the First Edition , Pages ix-x Introduction , Pages xiii-xx Reactive Chemical Hazards , Pages xxi-xxvi CYCLIC STRUCTURAL FORMULAE , Pages S1-S23 Section 1 - Specific Chemicals: Elements and Compounds arranged in formula order , Pages 1-1475 Section 2 - Classes, Groups and Topics: Entries arranged in alphabetical order , Pages 1477-1824 Appendix 1 - Source Title Abbreviations used in References , Pages 1825-1835 Appendix 2 - Tabulated Fire-related Data , Pages 1837,1839-1850 Appendix 3 - Glossary of Abbreviations and Technical Terms , Pages 1851-1852 Appendix 4 - Index of Chemical Names and Synonyms used in Section 1 , Pages 1853-1970 Appendix 5 - Index of Class, Group and Topic Titles used in Section 2 , Pages 1971-1976 Appendix 6 - Index of Section 2 Titles Classified by Type , Pages 1977-1982 Appendix 7 - Index of CAS Registry Numbers vs Serial Numbers in Section 1 , Pages 1983-2003 Additional Contributions , Page 2005 A collection of information on the hazardous properties of nearly 5000 reactive compounds and their inter-reactions. It attempts to include every chemical for which documented information on reactive hazards has been found. There are cross references throughout the book. Safety officers who are responsible for safety in industrial laboratories will find this book absolutely essential reading if they are to do their own work to the satisfaction of themselves and of the company which they serve. - Foreword.