petroleum ether

[Layla Nahar]

seems hard to find. On-line sellers require you to be associated with an educational institution. Some say Coleman's white gas, but others say that has too much nasty stuff.

does anybody have recommendations for how to get/where to find petroleum ether?

[sam&ella]

Done a google? Lots of sites listed there.

[klondike_bar]

petroleum ether is naptha i believe (confirm?)

in which case roborlsons lighter fluid works

[sam&ella]

petroleum ether is naptha i believe (confirm?)

...

yep, pretty much...

[Layla Nahar]

yes I did. Every site I investigated required you to be a member of a school or company that was registered with the seller.

The other thing I've heard is that there are few substitutes - most easily available products are full of harmful fillers, like benzene.

[FritzDaKat]

Naptha is also available at many hardware stores by the gallon. "Yup, I'm thinnin some paint!" ;)

Some forms of it like Coleman fuel are said by some to contain Rust inhibitors which can have a detrimental effect on the end result of your experiment or perhaps your "test subjects" bad mojo...

Google Naptha, check the Wiki, lists a good number of it's market names / forms.

Also lists its physical characteristics, including it's boiling point and vaporization point for when under vacuum. So In theory if you're cautious and careful, you could simmer it at a temperature just below it's boiling point as a way to drive off it's more volatile and unwanted components as well as do a "dry pull" thru a Vacuum system at a slightly-higher-than vaporization pressure again to remove more volatile impurities.

Distilation at the lowest possible temperature (212 F IIR) will also yeild a more-pure product.

:cheers2:

[Layla Nahar]

. So In theory if you're cautious and careful, you could simmer it at a temperature just below it's boiling

:cheers2:

Oh Fritz - that's quite the idea. I have a gas stove, too. What could go wrong?

[salmon4me]

Flammable liquid, can release vapors that form flammable mixtures at
temperatures at or above the flashpoint. Static Discharge, material can accumulate
static charges that can cause an incendiary electrical discharge.

http://www.midsungroup.com/MSDS-PDF/VMP%20Naptha%20MSDS.pdf

High fire hazard. Keep away from heat, spark, open flame, and other ignition sources.
Contact may cause eye, skin and mucous membrane irritation. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors or mists. Inhalation may cause irritation, anesthetic effects (dizziness, nausea, headache, intoxication), and respiratory system effects.

http://www.hess.com/ehs/msds/3557MTBE.pdf

DANGER! FLAMMABLE. KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT, SPARKS, FLAME AND ALL OTHER SOURCES OF IGNITION. VAPORS MAY CAUSE FLASH FIRE OR IGNITE EXPLOSIVELY. Do not smoke. Extinguish all flames and pilot lights, and turn off stoves, heaters, electric motors and all other sources of ignition during use and until all vapors are gone. Beware of static electricity that may be generated by synthetic clothing and other sources. Whenever possible, use outdoors in open air area. Do not use in areas where vapors can accumulate and concentrate such as basements, bathrooms or small enclosed areas. USE ONLY WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO PREVENT BUILDUP OF VAPORS. Open all windows and doors. Use only with a cross ventilation of moving fresh air across the work area

http://www.allprocorp.com/techbuls/SunnyTB/7590TB21082VMPNaphtha.cfm

[FritzDaKat]

Oh Fritz - that's quite the idea. I have a gas stove, too. What could go wrong?

Alot if ya' dont get a hotplate. lol

Stick with the vacuum technique if you dont feel like taking the rsik of fractional distilation.

And yes, as Salmon points out, Naptha, white Gas etc. highly flammable stuff, which is why you'll see when you do your research on how to do this that the distilation apperatus has only one small 1/8 or 1/4" orifice from which any of the vapors can escape.

If you know what you're doing you can even use this heated vapor/gas exhaust as a fuel source to continue the distilation process once the system has been evacuated of Oxygen. (Meant to imply that the technical knowledge is available for those who seek it. Not to imply it's inherantly safe or particularly simple. )

[jjaa27]

petroleum ether is naptha i believe (confirm?)

in which case roborlsons lighter fluid works



A FOAF uses VM&P naptha available at any hardware store, when petrolium ether is called for.