Substance profile
Peracetic Acid
Peracetic Acid is a colorless liquid with an acrid odor.
01 · Identification
What Peracetic Acid is
Peracetic Acid is a colorless liquid with an acrid odor. Its molecular formula is C2H4O3 and its molecular weight is 76.05 g/mol. It boils at 110 °C, melts at -0.2 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Peracetic Acid
- peracetic acid . . . %
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H242 | Heating may cause a fire. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH071
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P330, P331, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Peracetic Acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 110 °C (230 °F) | HSDB | |
| 105 °C (221 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 105 °C (221 °F) | OSHA | ||
| Melting point | -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 0 °C (32 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.226 g/cm³ | at 15 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Very soluble in ether, sulfuric acid; soluble in ethanol | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: miscible | ICSC | ||
| Miscible with water /1.0X10+6 mg/L/ at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 19.5016 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 14.5 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 40.56 °C (105 °F) | HSDB | |
| 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 200 °C (392 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Liquid will detonate if concn rises above 56% because of evaporation of acetic acid. | HSDB | |
| May explode if material exceeds 56% of carrier due to evaporation. | HSDB | ||
| Decomposes explosively at elevated temperatures. | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to most metals, including aluminum | HSDB | |
| Highly corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Peracetic Acid
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from acids, alkalies, organic materials, heavy metals. Normally kept refrigerated outside or detached storage is preferred. /Peracetic acid (less than 40%)/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Explosive reaction with acetic anhydride; 5-p-chlorophenyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-hexanone. Violent reaction with ether solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran; diethyl ether); metal chloride solutions (e.g., calcium chloride; potassium chloride; sodium chloride); olefins; organic matter.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Self-reactive. Peracids should be handled only in small quantities and with extreme care when pure or very concentrated. Organic peracids, such as peracetic acid, are so unstable that they may explode during distillation, even under reduced pressure [NFPA 1991].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Peracetic Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →