Agilent 1200 Preparative Pump User Manual 53
Using the Preparative Pump
4
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 and nitric 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.
• Solvents containing strong complexing agents (e.g. EDTA).
• Mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with 2-propanol or THF dissolve stainless 
steel.