Scaled up batch reaction causes fire
The incident
Scale up of working process by Med Chem. Reduction of a nitrile by borane-THF complex. Added 1kg of nitrile to 10 litre of borane-THF and heat to reflux! (and walk away...)
Results
- Mixture ejects from flask and fire burns out virtually brand new fumehood
- All scale ups in excess of 100g now need safety approval
- Process Safety workload doubles