What sort of ethyl alcohol is used in the laboratory?
1 Answer
Nov 28, 2017
Most of the time, the alcohol you use in the lab is AQUEOUS.....
Explanation:
In the past I have rigorously dried ethanol, and when you expose the residue to air, and you can actually see the volume of the dry ethanol expand as it sucks up atmospheric moisture.
The ethanol you use in the lab is approx. 95% ethanol....this contains a residue of water, and (usually) some methanol or phenol (this is to escape the licensing laws, and if you drink this stuff you go blind). Such aqueous ethanol is one of the best solvents for recrystallization in that it is cheap, it smells nice, and it is very soft on your hands. It also has a good temperature gradient, and it is none too flammable.
