ASTM D5799 Standard Test Method for Determination of Peroxides in Butadiene
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 A known mass of the butadiene sample is placed in a flask and evaporated. The residue is then refluxed with acetic acid and sodium iodide reagents. The peroxides react to liberate iodine which is titrated with standard sodium thiosulfate solution using visual end-point detection. Interfering traces of iron are complexed with sodium fluoride.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Due to the inherent danger of peroxides in butadiene, specification limits are usually set for their presence. This test method will provide values that can be used to determine the peroxide content of a sample of commercial butadiene.
4.2 Butadiene polyperoxide is a very dangerous product of the reaction between butadiene and oxygen that can occur. The peroxide has been reported to be the cause of some violent explosions in vessels that are used to store butadiene.
