Handling of Chemicals

Safe Handling of Chemicals: i) Check labels for hazard warnings-before

setting up any organic experiment, check the experimental procedure for
warnings about chemicals and think!!

The mental check-list goes something like this:

Are any of the reagents or solvents particularly corrosive? If so, wear

adequate hand protaction.
Are any of the reagents or solvents particularly flammable with very
low flash points? If so,, check that there are no naked flames in the
vicinity.
Are any of the reagents or solvents particularly toxic or unpleasant
smelling? If so, they will need to be dispensed and used in a fume
hood.
Are any of the reagents or solvents highly air or moisture sensitive? If
so, special handling techniques will be required.

Use bottle carriers for transporting large(2.5 L) solvent bottles.

Measuring and transferring chemicals:

Solids: Use the right balance.Use a small container to weigh small

quantities.

Wipe up spills immediately.

Treat low melting solids as liquidswarm the solid gently and transfer it by
a wider bore Pasteur pipettes.

Liquid: Measure liquid by volume.

Volume (in mL)= Weight 9in g)/ Density (in g mL-1)

Do not contaminate the reagent bottle . Use a clean Pasteur pipette.

Never pipette by mouth.

Always use a funnel.

Air sensitive materials are prone to decompose on reaction with

atmospheric oxygen, water or carbon dioxide.

Pyrophoric(catch fire in air) materials should be handled carefully.

Some reagents which require special handling :

1
 Alkali metals, e.g. Li, Na, K
Metal hydrides, e.g, NaH, CaH2;
Hydride reducing agents, e.g., LiAlH4, diborane(tetrahydrofuran
solution);
Organometallics, e.g., Grignards, BuLi (hexane solution);
Strong bases, e.g. BF3. Et2O, TiCl4;
Powerful electrophiles, e.g. acid chlorides, anhydrides.

Reactions involving air sensitive reagents can be carried out in

thoroughly dried conventional glass apparatus, but do require some extra
equipment, the most important is a source of inert atmosphere.

The essential ingredients for success are:

Drying the apparatus thoroughly;

Drying the solvents thoroughly;
Providing an inert atmosphere;
Dispensing and transferring the reagents carefully;
Running and working up the reaction carefully.

Dispensing and transferring air-sensitive reagents: