Reactive Groups

Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that typically react in similar ways because they are similar in their chemical structure. (These are structurally distinctive chemical groups, within which the members behave similarly.)

For purposes of predicting reactivityThe tendency of a substance to undergo chemical change. The reactivity of most substances depends on the temperature and pressure of the surroundings, and on the chemicals with which it comes in contact. Under ordinary conditions, innately reactive substances are those that react rapidly with water, air, and other common components of the environment, as well as substances that self-react (decompose or polymerize). between mixed chemicals, each substance in CAMEO 365betÓéÀÖ has been assigned to one or more reactive groups, based on the known chemistry of that substance. How is reactivity predicted?

There are 68 reactive groups in CAMEO 365betÓéÀÖ:

Seeing Reactive Group Assignments for a Chemical

  1. Find and open the chemical's datasheet. How do I find a chemical datasheet?
  2. Scroll down to the Hazards section. Near the end of this section, find the list of the reactive groups to which the chemical belongs. (You can go to the reactive group datasheets by clicking on the reactive group names.) See exampleSee example

    Chlorine belongsÌýto two reactive groups: Oxidizing Agents, Strong and Halogenating Agents.

    Chlorine is in two reactive groups: Oxidizing Agents, Strong and Halogenating Agents.