Compatibility
Chemical mixture guide
What actually happens when two common chemicals meet. Verdicts based on NIOSH incompatibility charts, OSHA guidance and CAMEO Chemicals.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Ammonia
Releases chloramine gas. Never mix.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Vinegar (acetic acid)
Releases chlorine gas.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Hydrochloric acid
Releases chlorine gas immediately.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Hydrochloric acid + Potassium permanganate
Releases chlorine gas.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Sodium cyanide + Hydrochloric acid
Releases hydrogen cyanide gas.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Sodium cyanide + Sulfuric acid
Releases hydrogen cyanide gas.
☠ Deadly. Do not mix.
Chlorine + Ammonia
Forms chloramine and nitrogen trichloride.
⚠ Dangerous
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Isopropyl alcohol
Produces chloroform and hydrochloric acid.
⚠ Dangerous
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Ethanol
Produces chloroform and chloral hydrate.
⚠ Dangerous
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Hydrogen peroxide
Violent decomposition, releases oxygen and heat.
⚠ Dangerous
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) + Acetone
Produces chloroform.
⚠ Dangerous
Sulfuric acid + Sodium hydroxide
Extremely exothermic, can boil and splash.
⚠ Dangerous
Sulfuric acid + Water
Always add acid to water, never the reverse.
⚠ Dangerous
Nitric acid + Sodium hydroxide
Strongly exothermic neutralization.
⚠ Dangerous
Sulfuric acid + Potassium permanganate
Forms Mn2O7, shock and heat sensitive explosive.
⚠ Dangerous
Nitric acid + Hydrogen peroxide
Forms peroxynitric acid, decomposes violently.
⚠ Dangerous
Sodium metal + Water
Violent hydrogen release, ignites and can explode.
⚠ Dangerous
Glycerol + Potassium permanganate
Ignites spontaneously after a short delay.
⚠ Dangerous
Hydrogen peroxide + Acetone
Forms acetone peroxide (TATP), primary explosive.
⚠ Dangerous
Hydrogen peroxide + Potassium permanganate
Vigorous decomposition, releases oxygen.
⚠ Dangerous
Formaldehyde + Hydrochloric acid
Can form bis(chloromethyl) ether, a strong carcinogen.
⚠ Dangerous
Toluene + Nitric acid
Nitration reaction, produces TNT precursors.
! Caution required
Hydrochloric acid + Sodium hydroxide
Neutralization, strongly exothermic.
! Caution required
Zinc + Hydrochloric acid
Produces flammable hydrogen gas.
! Caution required
Zinc + Sulfuric acid
Produces flammable hydrogen gas.
! Caution required
Hydrogen peroxide + Hydrochloric acid
Slow release of chlorine at high concentrations.
! Caution required
Toluene + Sulfuric acid
Sulfonation, exothermic.
✓ Safe to mix
Acetone + Water
Fully miscible, no reaction.
✓ Safe to mix
Ethanol + Water
Fully miscible, mild volume contraction.
✓ Safe to mix
Methanol + Water
Fully miscible.
✓ Safe to mix
Isopropyl alcohol + Water
Fully miscible.
✓ Safe to mix
Acetone + Ethanol
Miscible, no reaction.
✓ Safe to mix
Acetone + Isopropyl alcohol
Miscible, common cleaning blend.
✓ Safe to mix
Ethanol + Isopropyl alcohol
Miscible, no reaction.
✓ Safe to mix
Glycerol + Water
Fully miscible, viscous.