Reagent preservation
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Although most chemical compounds can be stored indefinitely (ex: sodium chloride, barium sulfate, etc.) in most if not all storage conditions, there are quite a lot of reagents that tend to undergo chemical changes, regardless of the storage. Even in the best storage conditions, they will degrade over long periods of time. To maintain the long shelf life of them, preservatives as well as other additives are added.
Contents
General
Many chemicals, such as ether tend to undergo autoxidation, when in contact with air. Halogenated carbons will too suffer similar effects.
Other compounds, such as sugar or citric acid will serve as nourishment for mold or other biological organisms.
Note that preservatives have poor efficiency if you do not store your reagents properly.
Reagents and preservatives used
| Compound | Preservative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1,4-Dioxane | Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), fresh copper | |
| Barium ferrate | Potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide | |
| Chloroform | Ethanol | |
| Dichloromethane | Ethanol | |
| Diethyl ether | Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), fresh copper | |
| Diisopropyl ether | Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), fresh copper | The amount of preservative must be much higher that in the case of other ethers |
| Diethyl ether | Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), fresh copper | |
| Potassium ferrate | Potassium hydroxide | |
| Sodium ferrate | Sodium hydroxide | |
| Tetrahydrofuran | Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), fresh copper |
