Petroleum Ether AR (40-60 °C), 2.5L

Molecular Formula:

• Light petroleum

Synonyms: • Benzine

• Pether

CAS Number: 8032-32-4

Molecular Weight:

Description:

Petroleum ether is the petroleum fraction consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons and boiling in the range 35–60 °C, and commonly used as a laboratory solvent.

Safety:

Petroleum ethers are extremely volatile, have very low flash points, and present a significant fire hazard. Fires should be fought with foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical or carbon tetrachloride.

Exposure to petroleum ether occurs most commonly by either inhalation or through skin contact. Petroleum ether is metabolized by the liver with a biological half-life of 46–48 h.

Inhalation: overexposure causes primarily central nervous system (CNS) effects (headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and incoordination). In general, the toxicity is more pronounced with petroleum ethers containing higher concentrations of aromatic compounds. n-Hexane is known to cause axonal damage in peripheral nerves.

Skin contact: can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Oral ingestion: of hydrocarbons often is associated with symptoms of mucous membrane irritation, vomiting, and central nervous system depression. Cyanosis, tachycardia, and tachypnea may appear as a result of aspiration, with subsequent development of chemical pneumonitis.