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Hi everyone,

I need some petroleum solvent, aka petroleum ether, or naphtha solvent/petroleum naphtha for a Yr 12 Chem prac on Tuesday - no time to order some in. So am trying to source some commercially. Used by building industry and car enthusiasts for cleaning purposes.
I've been on Chemwatch, and spoken to local fuel distributors, Bunnings, Repco, etc., but no luck so far. Does anyone know of a brand name for this chemical? Would make it much easier if I could ask for a specific item! No-one's heard of the ones I've found on Chemwatch.

Or maybe someone can suggest another chemical?

The prac is separating the pigments found in spinach using paper chromatography, from the Heinemann disc (Forensic Chemistry).

Many thanks,

When I worked for NCR ( cash registers ) they used to clean with it, it was called X222 (petrol ether).

Bob

Hi All,

Chloroform works well for this purpose as well.

All-in-all, one or the other will be suffice.

Cheers,

Robb.....

Hi Liz,
I have sent you a PM.
Rosalie

Thankyou all for your prompt replies - this is another example of how useful and appreciated this great resource is.

I have some chloroform, so I'll use that.

Thanks also for your offer to get some to me, Rosalie.

Have a good week, everyone!

Hi,

Isn't chloroform a Black dot chemical!!

We did this prac recently and used hexane mixed with acetone as the solvent and this worked really well.

Hope this is of some use.

Lorrae

Hi Lorrie,

Yes you are correct, Chloroform is a black dot. Level of risk, Unacceptble for use by support staff, general teaching staff and students. Taken from CSIS appendix D page 6.Not recommended for use in schools, Use in teaching and learning situations is restricted to approved teachers for demonstration purposes only. Approved teaching staff must complete and document a site specific risk assessment, Their is a lot more. If you need it fax, just say.

Regards

Thanks, Lorrae & Sue,

Just got back on to say just that about the chloroform - no go!

Thanks for your prompt response. Hexane was also suggested by another local labbie earlier (thanks, Barb), so I'll try that. Will let you all know the result after the prac tomorrow.

We ended up trying 3 different solutions.
The hexane/acetone worked very well, thanks Lorrae. HT suggested methylated spirits, which gave a result, though less effective, and I had enough petroleum ether to rig one up in a measuring cylinder, so they could see that too.

Many thanks again for all the help, everyone.