Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Methylene chloride evaporation rate

100PercentChemistry - 7-4-2016 at 15:28

About a year and a half ago I purchased a quart of DCM. I used about a quarter of it and screwed on the lid. I haven't used it since. Today I did an experiment and was almost done until I felt the DCM container was empty. Nothing was inside! I know it evaporates very fast but it was in a metal container and the basment is cold. I screwed on the lid tight. Is there anyway to stop this from happening?

Volanschemia - 7-4-2016 at 15:43

As a stab in the dark, I would say that you would improve your chances by wrapping the thread of the lid in PTFE tape.

What kind of bottle is/was it in?

Daffodile - 7-4-2016 at 17:52

If it was a hardware store steel can, it leaks. I have the same problem with Toluene, Xylene, and Acetone I got from the hardware supercenter

macckone - 7-4-2016 at 20:35

Only methylene chloride is more volatile than acetone.
In fact at my altitude the bp is barely above room temp.

Sulaiman - 8-4-2016 at 04:30

I have kept DCM in its original 5l black plastic container and in chilli sauce bottles (glass bottle, PE cap, no liner/tape etc.


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with no noticeable loss.

AJKOER - 8-4-2016 at 09:10

Never tried this, but inverting your metal can would remove a gas interface with the lip.

Also, try placing the inverted can in a dish with some water covered in a touch of oil.
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If this works well, I will have to take an online course on upside down reading (assuming I can read the label rightside up).

The next time I am in a spaceship, this should come in handy.

Loptr - 9-4-2016 at 09:24

Quote: Originally posted by AJKOER  
Never tried this, but inverting your metal can would remove a gas interface with the lip.

Also, try placing the inverted can in a dish with some water covered in a touch of oil.
-----------------

If this works well, I will have to take an online course on upside down reading (assuming I can read the label rightside up).

The next time I am in a spaceship, this should come in handy.


I am not positive about this, but it might make its way through the orifice because of its density. Make sure it is very tight, and some teflon tape might not hurt here.

Experimentation is King.

100PercentChemistry - 10-4-2016 at 13:00

Thanks. It was a hardware store metal can.
I will try your suggestions.