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Petroleum ether

Petroleum ether
Names
Other names
Light ligroin; Light petroleum; pether
Identifiers
8032-32-4
8030-30-6
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.498
Properties
Molar mass 82.2 g/mol
Appearance Volatile, clear, colorless and non-fluorescent liquid
Density 0.653 g/mL
Melting point < −73 °C
Boiling point 42–62 °C
insoluble
Solubility in Ethanol soluble
Vapor pressure 31 kPa (20 °C)
1.370
Viscosity 0.46 mPa·s
Hazards
GHS pictograms The flame pictogram in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) The exclamation-mark pictogram in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) The health hazard pictogram in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) The environment pictogram in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
GHS signal word DANGER
H225, H304, H315, H336, H411
P210, P243, P273, P301+310, P303+361+353, P301+330+331, P403+235
Highly Flammable F Dangerous for the Environment (Nature) N Irritant Xi Harmful Xn
R-phrases R11 R38 R51/53 R65 R67
NFPA 704
Flammability code 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g., propane Health code 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g., chloroform Reactivity code 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g., liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
Flash point < 0 °C
246.11 °C
Explosive limits 1.4–5.9 %
300 ppm (1370 mg/m3) 8 h TWA (TWA)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
3400 ppm (rat, 4 h)
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)
 100 ppm (400 mg/m3) 8 h TWA
REL (Recommended)
 100 ppm (400 mg/m3) 10 h TWA
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 1000 ppm
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Ligroin, Petroleum benzine, , Stoddard solvent, Naphtha, White spirit
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Petroleum ether is the petroleum fraction consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons and boiling in the range 35‒60 °C; commonly used as a laboratory solvent. The term ether is used only figuratively, signifying extreme lightness and volatility.

The very lightest, most volatile liquid hydrocarbon solvents that can be bought from laboratory chemical suppliers may also be offered under the name petroleum ether. Petroleum ether consists mainly of aliphatic hydrocarbons and is usually low on aromatics. It is commonly hydrodesulfurized and may be hydrogenated to reduce the amount of aromatic and other unsaturated hydrocarbons. Petroleum ether bears normally a descriptive suffix giving the boiling range. Thus, from the leading international laboratory chemical suppliers it is possible to buy various petroleum ethers with boiling ranges such as 30-50 °C, 40-60 °C, 50-70 °C, 60-80 °C, etc. In the United States, laboratory grade aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents with boiling ranges as high as 100-140 °C may be called petroleum ether, rather than petroleum spirit.

It is not advisable to employ a fraction with a wider boiling point range than 20 °C, because of possible loss of the more volatile portion during its use in recrystallisation, etc. and consequent different solubility relations of the higher boiling residue.

Most of the unsaturated hydrocarbons may be removed by shaking two or three times with 10 % of the volume of concentrated sulfuric acid; vigorous shaking is then continued with successive portions of a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate in 10 % sulfuric acid until the color of the permanganate remains unchanged. The solvent is then thoroughly washed with sodium carbonate solution and then with water, dried over anhydrous calcium chloride, and distilled. If required perfectly dry, it should be allowed to stand over sodium wire, or calcium hydride.


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