|
How can you tell that a solvent is safe to use for extractions?
| Q: |
In the morning glory FAQ by TrakMan.Du he suggests dissolving the substance into petroleum ether. This seems very practical and according to him works well. My only concern is that after this is done you are directed to strain the solution, resulting in "morning glory powder". Now the powder is going to retain some of the petroleum ether and so you are told to let it evaporate. Petroleum ether is a poison to the body so after you let it thourouly evaporate will any "petroleum ether residue" remain, or will it all vaporize? |
|
| A: |
The best way to tell if a solvent is inappropriate to use for an extaction is to evaporate some of it in a small dish and see if it leaves any residue. It may be neccessary to warm the dish slightly, or else just recognize that some solvents that evaporate quickly (such as ether) will cause the dish too cool down to the point that water will condense on the dish. This may be mistaken for remaining residue from the solvent. Any chemistry grade petroleum ether should evaporate quite cleanly in no time at all. If your intended solvent leaves an oily or particulate residue when it has all evaporated, then it is not recommended for using as a primary extraction solvent, or as a solvent that will be evaporated off to get a product.
aloha
psilo |
|
|
|
|
|
Categories:
[ Health ]
[ Chemistry ]
[ Morning Glory ]
|
|
Ask a Question