Agilent Technologies Quaternary Pump 1100 Series - Manual (Page 34)

34
Optimizing Performance
Solvent Information
Solvent Information
Always filter solvents through 0.4 µm filters, small particles can permanently
block the capillaries and valves. 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, especially at
higher temperatures (replace, if your chromatography method allows, 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:
2CHCl
3
+ O
2
→
2COCl
2
+ 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, di-isopropylether) such ethers should be filtered through
dry aluminium oxide which adsorbs the peroxides.
• Mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with 2-propanol or THF dissolve stainless
steel.