Petroleum ether
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Other names
Benzine; Light ligroin; Light petroleum; pether
| |
| Identifiers | |
| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.498 |
| EC Number |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| Molar mass | 82.2 g/mol |
| Appearance | Volatile, clear, colorless and non-fluorescent liquid |
| Density | 0.653 g/mL |
| Melting point | < −73 °C (−99 °F; 200 K) |
| Boiling point | 42–62 °C (108–144 °F; 315–335 K) |
| insoluble | |
| Solubility in Ethanol | soluble |
| Vapor pressure | 31 kPa (20 °C) |
Refractive index (nD)
|
1.370 |
| Viscosity | 0.46 mPa·s |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
   
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| Danger | |
| H225, H304, H315, H336, H411 | |
| P210, P243, P273, P301+P310, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P403+P235 | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | < 0 °C (32 °F; 273 K) |
| 246.11 °C (475.00 °F; 519.26 K) | |
| Explosive limits | 1.4–5.9 % |
Threshold limit value (TLV)
|
300 ppm (1370 mg/m3) 8 h TWA (TWA) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LC50 (median concentration)
|
3400 ppm (rat, 4 h) |
| NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
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, Petroleum spirit, 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).
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Petroleum ether is the petroleum fraction consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons and boiling in the range 35–60 °C, and commonly used as a laboratory solvent.[4] Despite the name, petroleum ether is not an ether.
Properties
[edit]
Petroleum ether consists mainly of aliphatic hydrocarbons and is usually low in aromatics. It is commonly hydrodesulfurized and may be hydrogenated to reduce the amount of aromatic and other unsaturated hydrocarbons.[5]
Standards
[edit]DIN 51630 has an initial boiling point above 25 °C, and its final boiling point up to 80 °C.[5]
Safety
[edit]Fires should be fought with foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical or carbon tetrachloride.[2]
The naphtha mixtures that are distilled at a lower boiling temperature have a higher volatility and, generally speaking, a higher degree of toxicity than the higher boiling fractions.[6]
Inhalation overexposure causes primarily central nervous system (CNS) effects (headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and incoordination). In general, the toxicity is more pronounced with petroleum ethers containing higher concentrations of aromatic compounds. n-Hexane causes axonal damage in peripheral nerves.[3]
Skin contact can cause allergic contact dermatitis.[3]
Petroleum-derived distillates have not been shown to be carcinogenic in humans.[6] Petroleum ether degrades rapidly in soil and water.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Dieter Stoye (2007), "Solvents", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (7th ed.), Wiley, p. 41
- ^ a b N. Irving Sax, ed. (1957), "Petroleum Spirits", Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, Reinhold, pp. 996–997
- ^ a b c d Patricia J Beattie (2005), "Petroleum Ether", Encyclopedia of Toxicology, vol. 3 (2nd ed.), Elsevier, pp. 375–376
- ^ David R. Lide, ed. (2010), CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (90th ed.), CRC Press, pp. 2–60
- ^ a b Alan Phenix (2007), "Generic Hydrocarbon Solvents: a Guide to Nomenclature" (PDF), WAAC Newsletter, 29 (2)
- ^ a b Stephen R Clough (2005), "Petroleum Distillates", Encyclopedia of Toxicology, vol. 3 (2nd ed.), Elsevier, pp. 372–375