UMass Boston

Chemical Storage

The following lists are examples of some chemicals which may be stored together. These lists are meant to serve as examples and are not designed to be all inclusive.

Inorganic Family

  • Metals, hydrides
  • Halides, sulfates, sulfites, thiosulfates, phosphates, halogens
  • Amides, nitrates (except ammonium nitrate), nitrites, azides
  • Hydroxides, oxides, silicates, carbonates, carbon
  • Sulfides, selenides, phosphides, carbides, nitrides
  • Chlorates, perchlorates, perchloric acid, hypochlorites, peroxides, hydrogen peroxide
  • Arsenates, cyanides, cyanates
  • Borate, chromates, manganates, permanganates
  • Nitric acid, other inorganic acids
  • Sulfur, phosphorus, arsenic, phosphorus pentoxide

Organic Family

  • Acids, anhydrides, peracids
  • Alcohols, glycols, amines, amides, imines, imides
  • Hydrocarbons, esters, aldehydes
  • Esters, ketones, ketenes, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethylene oxide
  • Epoxy compounds, isocyanates
  • Peroxides, hydroperoxides, azides
  • Sulfides, polysulfides, sulfoxides, nitrites
  • Phenols, cresols

Source: Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, 1995. National Research Council