MXG - 9-4-2013 at 03:06
Is there a rule of thumb for the use of charcoal (and celite)? I often read of using this method to "remove colored contaminants." But then the
product in the filtrate is colored yet it was not removed. Is there a rule of thumb for what will be removed by charcoal?
Or is this just a "try it and see" tool?
Thank-you!
Boffis - 9-4-2013 at 05:31
When I use decolourising charcoal I usually work on 0.5 to 1% of the anticipated yield as a crude rule-of-thumb, adjusting the amount to match the
degree of coloured impurities I think I have (highly subjective I know). Too much charcoal reduces yields so it better to repeat the process several
times if you haven't added enough than add too much and end up with nothing.