1,2 Diethoxyethane [Annydrous] as a solvent in ABE-- can anyone please recommend yes or no ?

[Samvidbuho]

Hello good peoples:

Does anyone know of anyone with experience using 1,2 diethoxyethane (ethylene glycol diethyl ether) which has been made annydrous as a solvent for acid base extractions?

I remember hearing of someone thinking of using a mixture of 1,2 diethoxyethane + toluene for the initial pull.

Can someone please advise? Would one be preferable over the other?


Thank you all in advance

 

[Mindlusion]

You can use it as a solvent, or as a mixture. But it's not preferable in anyway. At least, hardly anyone has used it, so no experimental evidence, but its properties resemble a higher boiling version of ethyl ether. It wouldn't be my first choice

 

[Auxin]

Like most ethers it can form explosive peroxides, especially if it gets old.
Peroxide test strips exist. I've used them when cleaning up explosive ethers before.

According to This Data Sheet it can get into you readily not just by breathing it but also by skin absorption and it can damage the kidneys.

I would avoid it except as an unusual specialty solvent. I wouldnt use it for general A/B's.

 

[Samvidbuho]

Mindlusion, Auxin - Thank you both for your responses.

It seems toluene would do just fine then, especially if its purity is 99.8%..

Auxin, thank you for the safety data sheet for the diethoxyethane. Did not know about the skin absorption, glad it's known now.

Cheers