Dimethyl peroxide

Dimethyl peroxide

Names
IUPAC name Methylperoxymethane[1]
Other names Dimethyl peroxide Dimethyldioxidane
Identifiers
CAS Number	690-02-8
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	1730817
ChEBI	CHEBI:35928
ChemSpider	120261
Gmelin Reference	305275
PubChem CID	136492
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID40219038
SMILES COOC
Properties
Chemical formula	CH3OOCH3
Molar mass	62.07 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless volatile liquid[2][1]
Odor	Sharp[3]
Density	About 0.85 g/cm3[2]
Boiling point	About 35 °C[2]
Solubility in water	Soluble[2]
Solubility	Soluble in organic solvents but less so in water.[2]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Explosive[2][4]
Related compounds
Related compounds	Di-tert-butyl peroxide Dimethyldioxirane Hydrogen peroxide Methyl hydroperoxide Dimethyl ether Dimethyl disulfide 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine Bis(trifluoromethyl)peroxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Dimethyl peroxide is an organic compound with the chemical formula H₃COOCH₃. It is the simplest organic peroxide, a type of organic compound with a C−O−O−C pattern of chemical bonds. Like most organic peroxides, it is an unstable compound that is explosive at room temperature.

The bond between the oxygen atoms is very weak, and often breaks apart into methoxy radicals. These radicals make dimethyl peroxide a useful radical initiator for polymerisation, but also make it dangerously reactive.