Reactive Hazards

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Reactive Hazards

Introduction

Chemicals possess the capacity to react with other chemicals upon exposure. Chemicals' reactive properties differ extensively and have a significant contribution in the production of food, pharmaceutical, materials and chemical products. Reactive hazards are a serious concern because of catastrophic or harmful consequences like explosions, fires and toxic fumes that need to be controlled by the chemical industry and better regulated by regulating bodies as it may result in injury, severe effects on the environment, damage to physical property and even in death.

Discussion

Classification of Chemicals

Hydrocarbons

The simplest form of organic compounds is hydrocarbons, which contains only hydrogen and carbon that can be in the form of cyclic molecules, branched chain and straight-chain.

Alkanes

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons that have only single bonds because hydrogen is present in every possible place. Alkanes have a general formula of CnH2n+2. Alkanes are less reactive than hydrocarbons, mainly because they have no triple or even double bonds, which may react with acid for the formation of carbocations (Carey CH 6.10 and 6.4). Alkanes have no leaving group like-Br, -Cl or -OH so cannot undertake SN2, SN1, E2 or E1 reactions (Carey CH 8 and CH 5). These are inflammable; however, fairly non-toxic apart from n-hexane that also known as neurotoxic (Orecchio, 2010).

Alkenes

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, also refers as olefinic has the general formula of CnH2n; for example, propylene (C3H6) and ethylene (C2H4). Alkenes are relatively non-toxic but flammable.

Alkynes

Hydrocarbons contain a triple bond between two atoms of carbon are known as Alkynes, and having the general formula CnH2n-2. Alkynes is also known as acetylenes. They tend to be more reactive and generally are hydrophobic.

Aromatic

Hydrocarbons containing six-carbon ring structure are known as Aromatic. They are unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as Xylene [C6H4 (CH3)2], Toluene [C6H5CH3] and Benzene [C6H6]. These hydrocarbons are potent narcotics and irritants. Aromatic have an effect on blood forming tissues and the central nervous system as it is a lekemogenic agent.

Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides or halogenoalkanes are derivatives of Alkanes having one or more than one halogens. They are retardants of flame, pharmaceuticals, solvents, propellants, refrigerants and fire extinguishants. Alkyl Halides have fewer bonds of C-H; halocarbons are relatively less flammable as compared to Alkanes, and thereby used as fire extinguishers.

Amines

Amines are functional groups and organic compounds, which contain a long pair of basic nitrogen atom. It is ammonia derivative, where one or more than ...