Lauroyl Peroxide (LPO) 丨 Perodox LUNA

Perodox LUNA, chemically known as ​Dilauroyl Peroxide (also referred to as ​Lauroyl Peroxide, CAS 105-74-8), is a highly efficient organic peroxide initiator, is a widely used initiator for the suspension and mass polymerization of vinyl chloride between 60°C and 80°C. In many cases LPO is combined with a more active initiator, such as a peroxydicarbonate to increase reactor efficiency. LPO is used as an initiator for the high pressure polymerization of ethylene, but because of its poor solubility in most aliphatics, it is in many cases replaced by other peroxides such as Di(3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl) peroxide (TMHP). The advantage of LPO is the possibility of storing at ambient temperature. LPO is also used as an initiator for the polymerization of methylmethacrylate at 60-90°C. LPO is often applied as a replacement for 2,2'-Azobis(isobutyronitril) (AIBN).

• Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Polymerization 丨 Lauroyl Peroxide LPO as the initiator

Lauroyl Peroxide for vinyl chloride polymerization / for PVC polymerization:

Initiation Mechanism & Process Optimization​​

​​Function​​:

LPO (C₂₄H₄₆O₄, CAS 105-74-8) decomposes thermally to generate radicals that initiate PVC suspension/bulk polymerization at ​​60–75°C​​

​​Co-initiator Strategies​​:

Combined with high-activity peroxides (e.g., tert-butyl peroxyneodecanoate) to enhance low-temperature reactivity

Reduces induction time and improves reactor efficiency (e.g., Perkadox® 24L + LPO optimizes PVC particle size distribution)

​​Safety-enhanced forms​​:

LPO-40W (40% aqueous suspension) or LPO-25W (25% aqueous suspension) improves handling safety and dispersion.

Temperature-Dependent Kinetics​​:

Half-life Temperature Significance

0.1 hour 99°C Rapid initiation at high temperatures

1 hour 79°C Stable reaction control

10 hours 61°C Low-temperature initiation (requires co-initiators)

• Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Polymerization

Lauroyl Peroxide for methyl methacrylate polymerization / for PMMA：

​​Radical generation​​: LPO replaces azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) by homolytic cleavage into alkoxy radicals to initiate MMA polymerization.

​​Temperature compatibility​​: Optimal at ​​60–90°C​​, aligning with LPO’s decomposition profile (10-hour half-life at 61°C), minimizing side reactions.

​​Toxicity advantage​​: Lower toxicity vs. AIBN (no cyanide byproducts), ideal for medical/ food-contact PMMA

• High-Pressure Ethylene Polymerization

Lauroyl Peroxide for ethylene polymerization (high pressure)：

Historical use​​: LPO initiated LDPE synthesis at ≥99°C (0.1-hour half-life)

​​Limitations​​:

1. ​​Poor solubility​​: Aggregation in nonpolar ethylene causes localized overheating
2. ​​Modern alternatives​​: Replaced by peroxydicarbonates (e.g., di(2-ethylhexyl) peroxydicarbonate) for better solubility, though LPO retains ​​superior ambient storage stability​​

• Combination with Other Initiators (e.g., Peroxydicarbonates)

Combined with other initiators could a usual operation for organic peroxide series product:

Efficiency Enhancement​​

​​PVC case​​:

LPO + cumyl peroxyneodecanoate boosts kinetics at 45–65°C, reducing "fish-eye" defects.

Paired with dihexyl peroxydicarbonate for uniform cellular foams.

​​ABS resin synthesis​​:

LPO + 1,1-di-(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (CH335) improves impact resistance.

• Replacement for AIBN

LPO replacement for AIBN:

Applications & Adjustments​​

​​Advantages​​: LPO decomposition yields ​​nontoxic lauric acid/esters​​ vs. AIBN’s tetramethylsuccinonitrile (cytotoxic).

​​Process tuning​​:

​​Temperature​​: Shift from AIBN’s 65–80°C to 79°C for equivalent initiation rate.

​​Solvent compatibility​​: Superior solubility in toluene/benzene vs. AIBN

LPO’s core value lies in its ​​broad temperature adaptability​​ and ​​low-toxicity profile​​, though co-initiator pairing and precise temperature control are essential for balancing efficiency and safety. Validation of decomposition kinetics and solvent compatibility is critical when substituting AIBN or deploying in high-pressure ethylene systems.

1. Polymerization Efficiency​​

• ​​High-Performance Initiator​​: Lauroyl peroxide is widely used as a ​​free-radical initiator​​ for polymerizing vinyl monomers like vinyl chloride, enabling efficient production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other thermoplastics
• ​​Controlled Reaction Kinetics​​: Its symmetrical molecular structure decomposes predictably under heat, facilitating precise control over polymerization rates and molecular weight distribution .
• ​​Versatility in Applications​​: Supports suspension polymerization for PVC, synthesis of ethylene-based graft polymers, and miniemulsion polymerization when used as a ​​cosurfactant​​ .

2. Safety and Handling Advantages​​

• ​​Reduced Fire Hazard​​: Classified as a ​​low-to-intermediate fire risk​​ compared to other organic peroxides. It is non-deflagrating (does not burn explosively) and stable under recommended storage conditions (2–8°C)
• ​​Mild Toxicity Profile​​: While a skin irritant, it is ​​not highly toxic​​ via ingestion or inhalation. It lacks severe carcinogenic evidence (IARC Group 3: limited animal data)
• ​​Environmental Compatibility​​: Decomposes into ​​biodegradable byproducts​​ (e.g., lauric acid derivatives), reducing ecological impact

3. Functional Versatility Beyond Polymerization​​

• ​​Effective Bleaching Agent​​: Oxidizes pigments in organic materials without chlorination, making it ​​gentler than chlorine bleach​​ on fabrics and surfaces. Ideal for bleaching fats, oils, and waxes
• ​​Cross-Linking and Vulcanization​​: Serves as a ​​curing agent​​ for rubber and epoxy resins, enhancing heat stability and mechanical properties
• ​​Pharmaceutical Applications​​: Used in topical acne treatments combined with antibiotics due to its ​​antimicrobial oxidation properties​​

​​4. Economic and Industrial Efficiency​​

• ​​Cost-Effective Production​​: Synthesized from readily available raw materials (lauroyl chloride + hydrogen peroxide) via scalable methods
• ​​Supply Chain Accessibility​​: Comprises ​​~4% of U.S. organic peroxide consumption​​, with global suppliers offering bulk quantities (e.g., $18.60/kg at 98% purity)

CAS No.

105-74-8

TSCA Status

listed on inventory

Purity

99%

Active oxygen content peroxide

4.01%

EINECS/ELINCS No.

203-326-3

Molecular weight

398.6

Bulk density, 20 °C

0.460kg/m³

Melting point

54 °C

Half-life data

The reactivity of an organic peroxide is usually given by its half-life (t1/2) at various temperatures.

For LPO in chlorobenzene:

0.1 hr at 99°C

1 hr at 79°C

10 hr at 61°C

Formula1 kd = A·e-Ea/RT

Formula2 t½ = (ln2)/kd

Ea 123.37 kJ/mole

A 3.92E+14 sP-1P

R 8.3142 J/mole·K

T (273.15+°C) K

Safety & Storage Protocols​​

​​Hazard class​​: UN 3106 (Class D organic peroxide); ​​

Self-Accelerating Decomposition Temperature (SADT) = 50°C​​

​​Storage​​: ≤30°C; isolate from reductants, acids, bases, and metal soaps (e.g., zinc stearate)

​​Spill response​​: Absorb with inert wet sand; avoid metal tools to prevent friction ignition

Click to download PDS of LPO

Storage

Due to the relatively unstable nature of organic peroxides a loss of quality can be detected over a period of time. To minimize the loss of quality, Do Sender Chem recommends a maximum storage temperature (Ts max. ) for each organic peroxide product.

Ts Max. 30°C

Note When stored under these recommended storage conditions, LPO will remain within the Do Sender Chemspecifications for a period of at least 3 monthsafter delivery.

Thermal stability

Organic peroxides are thermally unstable substances, which may undergo self-accelerating decomposition. The lowest temperature at which self-accelerating decomposition of a substance in the original packaging may occur is the Self-Accelerating Decomposition Temperature (SADT). The SADT is determined on the basis of the Heat Accumulation Storage Test.

SADT 50°C

Method The Heat Accumulation Storage Test is a recognized test method forthe determinationof the SADT of organic peroxides (see Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria - United Nations, New York and Geneva)

20 kg corrugated box packaging

LPO is classified as Organic peroxide type D; solid, Division 5.2; UN 3106. PG II

Carbon dioxide, Docosane, Undecane, Undecyl dodecanoate.