Unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons are generally much more reactive than alkanes, which are saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Strong oxidizers may react vigorously with them. Reducing agents can react exothermically to release gaseous hydrogen gas. In the presence of various catalysts (such as acids) or initiators, compounds in this class can undergo very exothermic addition polymerization reactions. Many of these compounds undergo autoxidation upon exposure to the air to form explosive peroxides (this process generally occurs slowly). These peroxide and polyperoxide substances are usually extremely unstable and prone to detonation. The peroxidation of butadiene has been involved in several serious industrial explosion accidents.
Toxicity