Bulk quantities of trichloroethane and sodium hydroxide are stored in the same space. If the two chemicals are allowed to mix, what would be the consequences?

Bulk quantities of trichloroethane and sodium hydroxide are stored in the same space. If the two chemicals are allowed to mix, what would be the consequences?

• A. can mix without consequences
• B. heat and toxic gas generation with fire
• C. heat and flammable gas generation
• D. may be hazardous but unknown

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that some chemical incompatibilities involve exothermic reactions that not only heat the surroundings but also produce flammable gases. Trichloroethane is a chlorinated solvent, and sodium hydroxide is a strong base. When they come into contact, the base can cause the solvent to react in a way that releases heat and generates flammable gas (such as hydrogen or other hydrocarbon fragments). In a bulk quantity stored in the same space, that heat build‑up and gas formation create a real fire and explosion risk if an ignition source is present, or even just an accumulation of flammable gas in a confined area. So the primary hazard here is heat plus flammable gas generation, which explains why this combination is deemed dangerous. It’s not just a potential for toxic gas in general, and it’s certainly not safe to assume there would be no consequence. The takeaway is to keep incompatible chemicals like strong bases and chlorinated solvents stored separately, with proper ventilation and ignition source controls.

The key idea is that some chemical incompatibilities involve exothermic reactions that not only heat the surroundings but also produce flammable gases. Trichloroethane is a chlorinated solvent, and sodium hydroxide is a strong base. When they come into contact, the base can cause the solvent to react in a way that releases heat and generates flammable gas (such as hydrogen or other hydrocarbon fragments). In a bulk quantity stored in the same space, that heat build‑up and gas formation create a real fire and explosion risk if an ignition source is present, or even just an accumulation of flammable gas in a confined area.

So the primary hazard here is heat plus flammable gas generation, which explains why this combination is deemed dangerous. It’s not just a potential for toxic gas in general, and it’s certainly not safe to assume there would be no consequence. The takeaway is to keep incompatible chemicals like strong bases and chlorinated solvents stored separately, with proper ventilation and ignition source controls.