Fyndium
International Hazard
Posts: 1192
Registered: 12-7-2020
Location: Not in USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Ethanol and methanol interchangeability?
Again, there is an instance where I stock small amount of methanol, but I can get ethanol OTC cheaply. Closest store that supplies methanol is over
200km away and shows 0 on stock. This might be a bit of a general side of question, but how subtitutable ethanol is for methanol as a reaction
solvent? I know for a fact that it works well for many reactions where ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, etc can be used in a very similar manner. The
reaction is not water sensitive at all, actually the opposite, so 95% ethanol would not be an issue in any extent.
Could I simply test this by attempting to dissolve a little amount of reactants and see how it goes from there, and then scale up if all is ok?
|
|
|
Oxy
Hazard to Others
Posts: 140
Registered: 1-12-2020
Member Is Offline
|
|
I used absolute ethanol with success as a replacement of methanol as a solvent. However, for some reactions where solvent polarity was a key factor
the difference in yield was very visible.
A significant water content may not affect the reaction itself but can make the process worse by decreasing of solubility of compounds which are not
soluble in water but are soluble in methanol or ethanol.
|
|
|
Amos
International Hazard
Posts: 1406
Registered: 25-3-2014
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
Mood: No
|
|
The best way to get a specific answer is to ask a specific question. Any idea what reaction you'll be attempting should you proceed with ethanol?
|
|
|
zed
International Hazard
Posts: 2277
Registered: 6-9-2008
Location: Great State of Jefferson, City of Portland
Member Is Offline
Mood: Semi-repentant Sith Lord
|
|
Sometimes they are interchangable, and sometimes they aren't.
It depends on the reaction.
|
|
|
unionised
International Hazard
Posts: 5102
Registered: 1-11-2003
Location: UK
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Fyndium  |
Could I simply test this by attempting to dissolve a little amount of reactants and see how it goes from there, and then scale up if all is ok?
|
Almost certainly.
That sort of thing is called science.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xpblue/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
