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From: Mubetcel <mubetcel_moorefield**At_Symbol_Here**STERIS.COM>
Subject: Re: pH Indicator Question
Date: Aug 27, 2009 11:41 UTC
Reply-To:
Mubetcel
In-Reply-To:
John, The method for decomposing sodium metal sound pretty dangerous if conducted improperly. I was wondering if you could give some specifics o f it, especially what not to do and the amounts, speed and the order of adding the chemicals you mention for those of us who might consider using this metho d. I quote your word below: "As a grad student, I cleaned out a lot of active metal + flammable solve nt still flasks and found that the best way to decompose the metal is to add dichloromethane, 2-propanol and water. The dichloromethane blankets the metal and prevents a fire from starting. The 2-propanol acts as a phase transfer catalyst and the water decomposes the metal. I never had a fire with this technique." Thank you very much in advance. Mubetcel