• Question: what are the most reactive chemicals you have worked with? and has anything ever gone wrong during a practical?

    Asked by anon-227035 to William, Thibaut "Tibo", Harry, Georgia, Emily, Aimee on 12 Nov 2019.
    • Photo: Georgia Orton

      Georgia Orton answered on 12 Nov 2019:

      As far as elements go, things like Sodium, Caesium etc react VERY violently with water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIFvNuqDhf4

      Normally elements join together to make bigger particles called molecules.
      I often work with organolithium reagents which set fire in air because they react with oxygen. I have to handle them under argon gas so they don’t set fire!
      There are cases where things go wrong, but we have very strict health and safety to avoid this. Before I do anything in the laboratory I have to fill in a form to list all the dangers involved and what I would do if something goes wrong. When I am working I wear a lab coat, lab glasses and gloves.
      I have had one small explosion but I had planned what to do if anything went wrong and was able to sort it out quickly and safely!

    • Photo: Aimee Egglestone

      Aimee Egglestone answered on 12 Nov 2019:

      It depends what you’re trying to react it with! But I think the most universally reactive one I use regularly would be sodium.

      And yes! Stuff goes wrong on a fairly regular basis but I think the worst which has ever happened was when the lid of my vessel cracked in half due to unexpected pressure building up!

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