PETROLEUM ETHER

Chemical properties

colourless liquid with hydrocarbon odour

Chemical properties

Petroleum ether is a flammable liquid used as a universal solvent and extractant during the processing of different chemicals, like fats, waxes, paints, varnishes, furniture polish thinning, as detergent, and as fuel. The major components include paraffi ns, olefi ns, naphthenes, aromatics, and about 10%–40% ethyl alcohol.

The Uses of PETROLEUM ETHER

Petroleum ether 35/60 is used as a mobile phase in High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry.

Synthesis

To a solution of A (400 mg, 1.54 mmol), B (621 mg, 3.09 mmol), and PPh3 (610 mg, 2.32 mmol) in THF (5.5 mL) at RT was added DEAD (404 mg, 2.32 mmol) in THF (0.5 mL). After  90 min, silica gel was added and the mixture was concentrated and purified on a  flash column (25% EtOAc/hexane) to provide petroleum ether. [545 mg, 80%]

The Uses of PETROLEUM ETHER

Thinners in paints and varnish.

Definition

Any of a number of narrowboiling-range fractions of petroleum with bp of approximately 93–204C, according to the specific use.

Definition

A flammable mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly pentane and hexane, used as a solvent. Note that it is not an ether.

Definition

A colourlessvolatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons(not an ether), mainly pentaneand hexane. It boils in the range30–70°C and is used as a solvent.

General Description

Colorless liquid with the odor of gasoline. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Also refered to as Varnish Makers & Painters Naphtha. This petroleum fraction is similar to Petroleum Ether (CAS 8030-30-6) but V.M. & P. is a heavier distillate. Flash point ranges from 20° F to 100° F.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

PETROLEUM NAPHTHA, [FLAMMABLE LIQUID LABEL] may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring may occur followed by ignition of unreacted material and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, mostly unreactive. Not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents. When heated sufficiently or when ignited in the presence of air, oxygen or strong oxidizing agents, burns exothermically to produce mostly carbon dioxide and water.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk.

Health Hazard

The vapors of VM&P solvent are irritant tothe eyes and upper respiratory tract. Suchirritant action in humans may be manifested at an exposure level of 1000 ppm for15 minutes. It is narcotic at high concentrations. The symptoms noted in rats of acuteexposure were loss of coordination as wellas convulsions. The inhalation LC50 value for4-hour exposure in rats is 3400 ppm (NIOSH1986)..

Health Hazard

After acute and prolonged exposures to petroleum ether in work places, occupational workers suffer and demonstrate a variety of health disorder. The symptoms of toxicity include, but are not limited to, erythema, edema, skin peeling, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, paresthesia, CNS depression, peripheral nerve disorders, skin and respiratory irritation, and chemical pneumonia in children. Occupational workers exposed to rubber solvent, varnish, thinner, and petroleum spirits develop skin irritation, respiratory problems, and hematologic effects.

Fire Hazard

Flammable liquid; flash point (closed cup) 14°C (57°F); vapors form explosive mixtures with air within the range 1.2–6.0% by volume in air.

Flammability and Explosibility

Extremely flammable

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen. A poison by intravenous route. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Ingestion can cause a burning sensation, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and, in severe cases, pulmonary edema. Inhalation of concentrated vapors can cause intoxication resembling that from alcohol, headache, nausea, coma, and hemorrhage to various vital organs. An eye irritant. A flammable liquid and highly dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, sparks, or oxidizing materials. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. Highly dangerous; keep away from heat or flame. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes

Purification Methods

Shake it several times with conc H2SO4, then 10% H2SO4 and concentrated KMnO4 (to remove unsaturated, including aromatic, hydrocarbons) until the permanganate colour persists. Wash it with water, aqueous Na2CO3 and again with water. Dry it with CaCl2 or Na2SO4, and distil it. It can be dried further using CaH2 or sodium wire. Passage through a column of activated alumina, or treatment with CaH2 or sodium, removes peroxides. For the elimination of carbonyl-containing impurities without using permanganate, see n-heptane. These procedures could be used for all fractions of pet ethers. See skellysolve below, p. 178. Rapid purification: Pass it through an alumina column and fractionally distilling, collecting the desired boiling fraction.