Product Introduction
Petroleum Ether (CAS 8032-32-4), also referred to as Ligroin or Petroleum Spirits, is a group of various volatile, highly flammable, liquid hydrocarbon mixtures. Despite its name, it is not an ether but a light petroleum fraction consisting primarily of aliphatic hydrocarbons (pentanes and hexanes). Petroleum Ether (CAS 8032-32-4) is prized in laboratory and industrial settings for its low polarity and rapid evaporation. It is categorized by its boiling range (e.g., 30-60°C, 60-90°C, 90-120°C), allowing users to select the optimal volatility for specific extraction or cleaning tasks. It serves as an essential solvent in the pharmaceutical, oil, and analytical industries.
Product Selling Points
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High Extraction Efficiency: Ideal for the extraction of lipids, oils, and non-polar organic compounds from natural products.
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Rapid Evaporation: Its low boiling point ensures quick drying and easy removal from samples under vacuum or mild heat.
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Multiple Boiling Ranges: Tailored fractions available to meet specific industrial requirements for volatility and safety.
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Low Non-Volatile Residue: Strictly controlled distillation processes ensure that minimal residue remains after evaporation (≤ 0.001%).
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Excellent Solvent for Chromatography: Widely used as a mobile phase component in thin-layer and column chromatography.
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Cost-Effective Bulk Supply: Chemfine offers competitive wholesale rates for large-scale industrial degreasing and extraction operations.
Applications
Laboratory Solvent Extraction Used extensively to extract fats and oils from food samples and for the isolation of natural products from plant materials.
Chromatography Mobile Phase In analytical chemistry, it is used as a non-polar solvent in column chromatography and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to separate organic mixtures.
Industrial Precision Cleaning Its high solvency for oils and waxes makes it an excellent cleaner for precision instruments, electronic parts, and optical components.
Fuel and Lighting Specific grades are used as fuel for specialized heaters, camping stoves, and as a component in certain fuel additives.
Packaging
Standard industrial packaging options for Petroleum Ether include:
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160kg tight-head steel drums (Standard export packaging).
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1000L IBC tanks for high-volume manufacturing use.
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ISO Tanks for large-scale international bulk transport.
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4L or 20L safety canisters for laboratory use.
Storage
Petroleum Ether is a highly flammable liquid (Class 3). It must be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated fireproof warehouse. Containers must be kept tightly sealed. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and static discharge. Store separately from strong oxidizing agents. The storage area should be equipped with explosion-proof lighting and grounding systems.
Related and Similar Products
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n-Hexane – CAS 110-54-3
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n-Pentane – CAS 109-66-0
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Cyclohexane – CAS 110-82-7
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n-Heptane – CAS 142-82-5
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Ethyl Acetate – CAS 141-78-6
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Dichloromethane (DCM) – CAS 75-09-2
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Acetone – CAS 67-64-1
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Toluene – CAS 108-88-3
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White Spirit – CAS 64742-82-1
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Diethyl Ether – CAS 60-29-7
FAQ
Extraction and Technical Use
- Q1: Which boiling range should I choose for Soxhlet extraction?
A1: The 30-60°C or 60-90°C ranges are most common. Lower ranges allow for easier solvent recovery, while higher ranges are safer for use in warmer climates.
- Q2: Is Petroleum Ether the same as Diethyl Ether?
A2: No. Petroleum Ether is a mixture of hydrocarbons. Diethyl Ether is a specific oxygenated organic compound ($C_4H_{10}O$). They have very different chemical reactivities.
- Q3: Can it be used for cleaning watch parts or jewelry?
A3: Yes, its high purity and fast evaporation make it excellent for removing oils without leaving a film or causing oxidation.
Safety and Logistics
- Q1: What are the fire safety requirements?
A1: It has an extremely low flash point. Use only in non-sparking environments with adequate grounding to prevent static electricity buildup.
- Q2: Does Chemfine provide “Laboratory Grade” and “Industrial Grade”?
A2: Yes, we offer both technical grades for bulk cleaning and higher-purity analytical grades for sensitive laboratory extractions.
- Q3: What is the shelf life?
A3: If kept tightly sealed in a cool area, it has an indefinite shelf life, though we recommend re-testing the moisture content after 2 years.
