Solvent Information

WARNING

Toxic, flammable and hazardous solvents, samples and reagents

The handling of solvents, samples and reagents can hold health and safety risks.

When working with these substances observe appropriate safety procedures (for example by wearing goggles, safety gloves and protective clothing) as described in the material handling and safety data sheet supplied by the vendor, and follow good laboratory practice.
Do not use solvents with an auto-ignition temperature below 200 °C (392 °F). Do not use solvents with a boiling point below 56 °C (133 °F).
Avoid high vapor concentrations. Keep the solvent temperature at least 40 °C (72 °F) below the boiling point of the solvent used. This includes the solvent temperature in the sample compartment. For the solvents methanol and ethanol keep the solvent temperature at least 25 °C (45 °F) below the boiling point.
Do not operate the instrument in an explosive atmosphere.
Do not use solvents of ignition Class IIC according IEC 60079-20-1 (for example, carbon disulfide).
Reduce the volume of substances to the minimum required for the analysis.
Do not use bottles that exceed the maximum permissible volume (2.5 L) as specified in the usage guidelines.
Ground the waste container.
Regularly check the filling level of the waste container. The residual free volume in the waste container must be large enough to collect the waste liquid.
To achieve maximal safety, regularly check the tubing for correct installation.

NOTE

For details, see the usage guideline for the solvent cabinet. A printed copy of the guideline has been shipped with the solvent cabinet, electronic copies are available in the Agilent Information Center or via the Internet.

Recommendations on the Use of Solvents

Observe the following recommendations on the use of solvents.

Brown glass ware can avoid growth of algae.
Follow the recommendations for avoiding the growth of algae, see the pump manuals.
Follow the recommendations for avoiding the growth of algae, see Algae Growth in HPLC Systems
Small particles can permanently block capillaries and valves. Therefore, always filter solvents through 0.22 µm filters.
Avoid or minimize the use of solvents that may corrode parts in the flow path. Consider specifications for the pH range given for different materials such as flow cells, valve materials etc. and recommendations in subsequent sections.
Avoid the use of the following steel-corrosive solvents:
- solutions of alkali halides and their respective acids (for example, lithium iodide, potassium chloride, and so on),
- high concentrations of inorganic acids like sulfuric acid and nitric acid, especially at higher temperatures (if your chromatography method allows, replace by phosphoric acid or phosphate buffer which are less corrosive against stainless steel),
- halogenated solvents or mixtures which form radicals and/or acids, for example:
  2CHCl₃ + O₂ → 2COCl₂ + 2HCl
  This reaction, in which stainless steel probably acts as a catalyst, occurs quickly with dried chloroform if the drying process removes the stabilizing alcohol,
- chromatographic grade ethers, which can contain peroxides (for example, THF, dioxane, diisopropyl ether) should be filtered through dry aluminium oxide which adsorbs the peroxides,
- solvents containing strong complexing agents (e.g. EDTA),
- mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with 2-propanol or THF.
Avoid the use of dimethyl formamide (DMF). Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is used in leak sensors, is not resistant to DMF.

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21-Jun-2025