The Wide Variety of Solvents

submitted: Jul 29th 2008 | by: FabianToulouse | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 304 | PDF View | Print Article

A wide variety of uses exist for solvents, from industrial applications in the producing of items such as nail polish remover to common household processes like the brewing of coffee or dissolving salt for preparing pasta. Water is naturally the most regularly used solvent, but while regular tap water is safe for some applications, such as the aforementioned coffee brewing, most scientific applications necessitate some variety of purified water with the right polarity for the job at hand.

While the American Chemical Society has a set of strictures for water designated as ACS Reagents water, there are a variety of grades made for more specific applications, such as HPLC water. Since HPLC grade water does not absorb UV light, as do other purified waters, it is necessary for liquid chromatography. Deionized (or demineralized) water, while wonderful as a solvent, has many applications as a coolant as well since it may be applied in proximity to high-voltage electrical equipment.

Of course, water is not the only solvent. Among the chemical solvents commonly used are cyclohexanone, which is widely used as a solvent in industry as well as an activator in oxidation reactions, and methyl alcohol, also known as methanol.

Chemical companies produce a wide range of grades of purified waters and other solvents which are available in virtually any quantity for use in industry, laboratories, universities, and research facilities. The important thing to consider in purchasing chemicals and solvents is the reputation of the merchant you use.

It is great to find one that has a huge inventory of chemicals and laboratory supplies, so that you can find everything you need in one place, and, of course, cost matters. First, however, you must be able to trust the quality of the solvents you are using. If you cannot trust the purity of your solvents, you cannot trust your results.

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If you are interested in obtaining fine chemical solvents, make sure you purchase from a respected vendor of chemical solvents.


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