68 1-800-452-1261
Methyl Alcohol
methanol, absolute (anhydrous)
CH3OH
F.W. 32.04
Reagent M0054 500 mL $ 7.52
M0055 4 liters 28.54/1
110.80/4
Laboratory grade M0207 4 liters $29.24
HAZARD ALERT: Flammable; dangerous fire risk; toxic by ingestion
(ingestion of as little as 15 mL has caused blindness). TLV 262 mg/m3.
LD50 5628 mg/kg.
SPECIAL HAZARD ALERT: Laboratory accidents involving methyl alcohol
occur when vapor in the air ignites and travels back to the source, causing
a flash fire. Always cap the bottle of methyl alcohol and remove it from the
area prior to performing any demonstration involving open flames, sparks or
heat. Use only a small amount and always perform demonstrations behind a
safety shield. Please visit flinnsci.com to access publication No. 10497, Methyl
Alcohol Safety, for more detailed safety information and instructions.
Storage: Organic #2 in a dedicated flammables cabinet. If one is not available,
store in a Flinn Saf-Stor™ Can.
Disposal: #18a. U-Listed (U154); purchase small amounts for effective inventory
control.
Shelf Life: Good if stored safely.
Soluble: Miscible with water and alcohol.
Color and Odor: Colorless liquid with alcohol odor.
CAS No. 67-56-1
Safety Purchase Suggestion: Please consider the use of anhydrous
ethyl alcohol (E0012, etc.) as a substitute. Ethyl alcohol is a good substitute
for methyl alcohol for most laboratory experiments and as a burner fuel.
Avoid purchasing 20-liter cans of this substance unless you have approved,
dedicated flammables storage.
2-Methyl-2-Butanol
see tert-Pentyl Alcohol
3-Methyl-1-Butanol
see Isopentyl Alcohol
Methyl Cellulose Solution
3%, aqueous, quieting solution
M0171 100 mL $9.03
Storage: Organic #2
Disposal: #26b
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Color and Odor: Cloudy/colorless, odorless liquid.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
2-butanone
laboratory grade
CH3COC2H5
F.W. 72.11
M0060 500 mL $15.48
HAZARD ALERT: Flammable, dangerous fire risk; narcotic by inhalation.
LD50 2737 mg/kg. TLV 590 mg/m3.
Storage: Organic #4 in a dedicated flammables cabinet. If one is not available,
store in a Flinn Saf-Stor™ Can.
Disposal: #18b. U-Listed (U159); purchase small amounts for effective inventory
control.
Shelf Life: Good if stored safely.
Soluble: Alcohol and ether.
Color and Odor: Colorless liquid with nail polish remover odor.
CAS No. 78-93-3
Methyl Orange
dye/indicator
pH 3.0 red to 4.4 yellow
C14H15N3O3SNa
F.W. 328.33
M0076 25 g $12.36
HAZARD ALERT: Highly toxic by ingestion. LD50 60 mg/kg.
Storage: Organic #9. Store in a locked poisons cabinet.
Disposal: #26a
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Soluble: Best in hot water; partially in alcohol.
Color and Odor: Brown/orange solid with laundry soap odor.
CAS No. 547-58-0
C.I. #13025
Mercury and Mercury Spills
For more than 40 years, Flinn Scientific has embraced the philosophy that
chemicals can be safely used if the necessary safety precautions are thoroughly
understood. Nevertheless, in July 2008, Illinois joined 15 other states that have
banned the use of thermometers, barometers and other instruments containing
mercury. At least 11 states also prohibit the use of elemental mercury in schools
and hospitals. The laws limit the ability of manufacturers to sell mercury or
mercury-added products. The purpose of laws banning the sale of mercury is to
eliminate nonessential uses of mercury and reduce its environmental release.
In response to these laws, Flinn Scientific has discontinued the sale of elemental
mercury, mercury compounds and mercury thermometers.
Health and Environmental Effects of Mercury
Mercury is a volatile, highly toxic liquid and a serious environmental hazard. The
vapor pressure of mercury at room temperature is more than 100 times greater than
the permissible exposure limit for mercury in air (0.01 mg/m3). The threat increases
at higher temperatures. Exposure to mercury vapor occurs when mercury is spilled
or products that contain mercury break. The high surface tension and low viscosity
of liquid mercury are reflected in its common name, quicksilver. These properties
cause mercury to break up into small droplets that are easily trapped or hidden.
Small amounts of mercury are easy to overlook and add up over time. There have
been reports of 15–20 pounds of spilled mercury found in labs! Inhalation and
absorption of mercury leads to nervousness, insomnia, depression, headache,
fatigue, tremors, muscle atrophy and cognitive decline. Mercury is a cumulative
poison—it is distributed in the blood within hours of exposure to mercury vapor and
is concentrated in the kidneys. Higher exposures lead to kidney damage and respiratory
failure. Mercury and mercury compounds do not biodegrade. Microorganisms
in soil and water convert mercury to methyl- and dimethylmercury, which are more
toxic than elemental mercury and bioacummulate in the food chain.
Cleaning Up Mercury Spills
• If mercury is spilled or a thermometer breaks, immediately open the windows
and doors to provide maximum ventilation.
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to clean up a spill. The vacuum will
disperse mercury into the air and a broom will break the mercury into smaller
droplets and spread them.
• Avoid contaminating shoes or other items in the area of the spill. Put plastic
bags over your shoes.
• Wear chemical-resistant gloves. Collect visible drops of mercury with a
medicine dropper or Beral-type pipet. Transfer the mercury to a seamless
polyethylene bag or bottle.
• Mercury droplets will cling to vertical surfaces and on the underside of bench
tops or shelves. Use a flashlight to locate small beads of mercury on surfaces
or in cracks and crevices.
• Lightly cover the area with zinc powder; the resulting zinc amalgam is easily
collected. (Do not use sulfur—it forms a surface film and leaves the mercury
underneath exposed.)
• The Mercon™ Mercury Spill Control Kit is an effective mercury suppressant
and decontaminant. It contains a spray to suppress mercury vapor, a sponge
to pick up mercury droplets, chemical wipes to decontaminate the spill site
and a waste container. See page 673 for a detailed explanation.
• Broken mercury thermometers in an oven can flood the lab with dangerous
mercury vapor. Immediately open all windows and place the appliance in the
hood or take it outside to drive off residual mercury.
Replacing Mercury Thermometers
See pages 196–198 for a complete listing of our digital and spirit-filled thermometers
to meet all of your lab needs!
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=M0054
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=M0055
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=M0207
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=E0012
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=M0171
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=M0060
/?type=All&defaultType=Products&query=M0076
/flinnsci.com