Organic peroxide

Organic peroxides contain the weak oxygen-oxygen single bond, which cleaves homolytically on warming to give two free radicals. The same instability makes organic peroxides hazardous — they are self-reactive, sensitive to contamination by metals and acids, and require temperature-controlled storage away from reducing agents. Molychem supplies dicumyl peroxide, a widely used crosslinking agent and polymerisation initiator, in 500 g packs.