Petroleum Ether

Petroleum Ether is the name given to the petroleum fraction that boils in the range 35°C - 60°C, and that consists mostly of aliphatic (non-aromatic) hydrocarbons such as 2-methylpentane and pentane.

It is commonly used as a non-polar solvent in the pharmaceutical industry and in general chemistry laboratories. Petroleum ether is also known as benzine, pet ether, pether, ligroin and light petroleum.

Petroleum Ether is not actually an ether (R-O-R), rather ‘ether’ simply denotes that it is extremely light, and highly volatile thus mimicking ethers. It is a colorless liquid with a gasoline -like odor, insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol. It has a low flash point and as such is a fire Hazard and must be stored accordingly.

Petroleum Ether Offerings at Lab Alley

• Petroleum Ether High Purity Grade

Industries that use Petroleum Ether

• General Chemical
• Paint
• Pharmaceutical
• Industrial Cleaning

Common uses of Petroleum Ether

• Glue remover and general solvent
• Suspending and extracting fats, lipids, and plant-based material
• HPLC
• Liquid Chromatography
• Varnishes