Agilent Technologies G1313A, Reference Manual

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Solvent Information
Solvent Information
Observe the following recommendations on the use of solvents.
Solvents
Brown glass ware can avoid growth of algae.
Always filter solvents, small particles can permanently block the capillaries.
Avoid the use of the following steel-corrosive solvents:
• Solutions of alkali halides and their respective acids (for example, lithium
iodide, potassium chloride, and so on).
• High concentrations of inorganic acids like nitric acid, sulfuric acid
especially at higher temperatures (replace, if your chromatography
method allows, by phosphoric acid or phosphate buffer which are less
corrosive against stainless steel).
• Halogenated solvents or mixtures which form radicals and/or acids, for
example:
2CHCl
3
+ O
2
→
2COCl
2
+ 2HCl
This reaction, in which stainless steel probably acts as a catalyst, occurs
quickly with dried chloroform if the drying process removes the
stabilizing alcohol.
• Chromatographic grade ethers, which can contain peroxides (for example,
THF, dioxane, di-isopropylether) such ethers should be filtered through
dry aluminium oxide which adsorbs the peroxides.
• Solutions of organic acids (acetic acid, formic acid, and so on) in organic
solvents. For example, a 1 % solution of acetic acid in methanol will attack
steel.
• Solutions containing strong complexing agents (for example, EDTA,
ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid).
• Mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with 2-propanol or THF.