Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
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EC number: 201-186-8 | CAS number: 79-21-0
Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
- Endpoint:
- stability: thermal, sunlight, metals, other
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Peer reviewed data
- Endpoint:
- thermal stability
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Test substance thermally stable:
- no
- Key result
- Operating temp.:
- 130 °C
- Transformation products:
- yes
- Remarks:
- methane, ethane, ethylene, methyl alcohol and carbon dioxide
Referenceopen allclose all
When peracetic acid is heated to 130 °C in a bomb, it explodes and is reported to yield methane, ethane, ethylene, methyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. It is also reported that peracetic acid decomposed on heating to form carbon dioxide, formic acid, and glycolic acid.
It is known that peroxy acid decompose in the presence of traces of heavy metal ions. To stabilize a peracetic acid solution the use of small quantities of a metal sequestering agent is recommended.
Description of key information
Decomposition of peracetic acid can be initiated by high temperatures, high pH and contamination with metal catalysts such as copper, iron and chromium.
Additional information
Decomposition of peracetic acid is strongly exothermic, liberating large volumes of oxygen gas. 5% and 15% peracetic acid products were not explosive: they exhibited no mechanical or thermal sensitivity. In literature, it is reported that peracetic acid is insensitive to impact, but explodes violently when heated to 110 °C (highly concentrated peracetic acid; no concentration figure provided in publication). For practical reason it is therefore impossible to obtain pure peracetic acid.
Justification for classification or non-classification
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
