Chem Stores has a number of bulk solvents that may be purchased. They are dispensed in 2L volumes, in glass bottles. A deposit is charged for all bottles, and when they are returned to Chem Stores, the deposit is credited to the holder's account. Due to the high cost of replacing bottles, we ask that customers not use solvent bottles for waste. Appropriate containers can be acquired from the Environmental Safety Facility for waste. To avoid contamination of the solvents, please do not rinse the solvent bottle with any reagent. Please notify Chem Stores staff when returning bottles if you suspect anything other than the labelled solvent was in the bottle.
For bulk solvents, labs have the option to provide their own 4L amber bottles for solvent refills. In this case, solvents are dispensed in 4L increments (must order 4L per amber bottle). Bottles must be given to us with proper WHIMIS workplace labels (sample labels (PDF)) and labels identifying your lab (e.g., supervisor name and location). Bottles without either label will not receive refills!
All bottles and carts dropped off will be refilled the next day and available by the afternoon. If more than four (4) solvent bottles are needed, we ask that customers drop off a cart for refilling. For carts, please submit the solvent refill form (DOCX) prior to drop off.
Please bring a container (bottle, tote, bin, etc.,) to transport chemicals. Totes and large bins can be purchased if needed; Chem Stores does not have any available to borrow. If more than one bottle is required, please bring a cart or an additional person to help.
When ordering via the email form, please specify if you are returning 4L bottles for refill or are using our bottle deposit system. This should be clearly reflected in the quantity section of the form (e.g., CACE27, drum acetone, 2 x 4L).
The following solvents are dispensed by Chem Stores in 2L volumes:
Note: The specifications are subject to change due to supplier and ordering modifications.
Acetone – CACE27
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC, corrected for H2O content) | 99.5% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Aldehyde (as HCHO) | 0.002% max |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | 0.05% max |
| Methanol | 0.05% max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Titrable acid | 0.0003meq/g max |
| Titrable base | 0.0006meq/g max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.5% max |
Diethyl Ether – CETH28
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.0% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Peroxide (as H2O2) | 1 ppm max |
| Carbonyl (as HCHO) | 0.001% max |
| Alcohol (CH3CH2OH) | 0.05% max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Titrable acid | 0.0002meq/g max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.03% max |
Ethanol (Absolute) – CETH25
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Colour (APHA) | 2.5 max |
| Acids (acetic acid) | 0.0020g/100ml max |
| Esters (ethyl acetate) | 0.0015g/100ml max |
| Aldehydes (acetaldehyde) | 0.0007g/100ml max |
| Higher alcohols (isobutyl alcohol) | 0.0040g/100ml max |
| Nonvolatile matter | 0.0020g/100ml max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.10% max |
Ethyl Acetate – CETH24
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.5% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.003% max |
| Titrable acid | 0.0009 meq/g max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.2% max |
Heptane – CHEP01
| Grade | Reagent |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.0% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.015% |
Hexanes – CHEX10
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (sum of 15 isomers & methylcyclopentane) | 98.5% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| H2O-soluble titratable acid | 0.0003meq/g max |
| Sulphur compounds (as S) | 0.005% max |
Isopropanol (IPA) – CISO04
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.5% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Carbonyl compounds (acetone or propionaldehyde) | 0.002% max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Titrable acid | 0.0001meq/g max |
| Titrable base | 0.0001meq/g max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.2% max |
Methanol – CMET51
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.8% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Carbonyl comps (acetone, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde) | 0.001% max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Titrable acid | 0.0003meq/g max |
| Titrable base | 0.0002meq/g max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.10% max |
Methylene Chloride (DCM) – CMET53
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.5% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.002% max |
| Titrable acid | 0.0003 meq/g max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.02% max |
Petroleum Ether (35-60°C) – CPET02
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Boiling Range | 35-60° |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.01% max |
Soap (super neutral pH cleaner) – CSOA01
This is suitable for cleaning floors, walls, woodwork, and most painted surfaces. For general cleaning, dilute 10ml/L with water.
Toluene – CTOL01
| Grade | American Chemical Society |
|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.5% min |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after evaporation | 0.001% max |
| Sulphur compounds (as S) | 0.003% max |
| Water (H2O) | 0.03% max |