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How to Prevent and Alleviate the Deterioration of Chemical Reagents?

To ensure the smooth progress of chemical teaching, scientific research, and chemical production, reduce reagent loss, and mitigate reagent deterioration, commonly adopted methods and measures include:

1. Sealing
This is the most common and universal method. The material and sealing level of the reagent bottle should be determined based on the nature of the reagent. For example, highly corrosive "three acids" and hydrofluoric acid can be stored in reagent bottles with ground glass stoppers or glass bottles with plastic-lined screw caps. Hydrofluoric acid should be sealed and stored in silver or plastic containers, etc.

Sealing is suitable for all chemical reagents that are volatile, sublimable, deliquescent, dilute, efflorescent, hydrolyzable, redox-prone, or mold-prone. For reagents that decompose extremely easily and produce gases, they are generally not completely sealed but should be left with some room; otherwise, the container may rupture. In addition to general sealing, wax sealing or homemade nitrocellulose sealing can be applied, such as for aluminum trichloride and phosphorus pentoxide.

2. Isolation
Reagents that react with air or water, such as highly reactive metals and non-metals, should be isolated and stored in relatively stable liquids or inert gases. For example, potassium, sodium, and calcium are immersed in mineral oil, while yellow phosphorus is immersed in water for storage. This isolation method is also known as liquid sealing, with the former called oil sealing and the latter called water sealing. Water sealing can also reduce the loss of certain volatile reagents. For instance, adding a thin layer of water to reagents containing liquid bromine or carbon disulfide can significantly reduce volatilization loss and air pollution.

In the laboratory, there are numerous types of inorganic and organic reagents with diverse properties, so proper classification and storage are essential. Separate organic and inorganic substances, ordinary chemicals and hazardous ones, oxidizers and flammables, reducers and decomposers, and easily volatile acids and bases. These separations not only avoid adverse interactions between chemicals but also prevent compounded hazards in case of accidents.

3. Light Avoidance
Typically, dark brown reagent bottles with good light-blocking properties are used. Store reagents in dark places or dedicated light-shielded reagent cabinets. Alternatively, wrap reagent bottles with thick black photographic paper, such as for storing concentrated nitric acid, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, and mercuric chloride.

4. Low Temperature
Common volatile reagents are often stored in cool places, such as concentrated nitric acid, concentrated hydrochloric acid, and ammonia water. Certain special biochemical reagents need to be stored in ice chests or refrigerators, such as enzyme reagents.

5. Ventilation
Although containers for chemical reagents are generally sealed, leaks, spills, and emissions can still occur. During high-temperature summer weather, explosive gas mixtures are more likely to form. Therefore, storage rooms must be well-ventilated, equipped with dedicated exhaust fans that are frequently operated to ensure air circulation.

6. Timeliness
This refers to taking appropriate measures based on the characteristics of certain reagents, especially those that are extremely prone to deterioration and inactivation. Timely preparation, use, and disposal are essential.

For example, highly oxidizable hydrogen sulfide solution, chlorine water, bromine water, and iodine water need to be prepared and used promptly. Silver nitrate solution for silver mirror reactions, ammonia water, and acetaldehyde solution should be used immediately after preparation to avoid reduced effectiveness. Ferrous sulfate solution should be mixed with some reducing iron powder after preparation to prevent oxidation. Starch, sucrose, and protein solutions should be cleaned from reagent bottles promptly after use to prevent mold growth. (Source: Experiment and Analysis)

When preparing the aforementioned reagents, timeliness should be emphasized, and the quantity prepared should be based on actual needs to avoid waste due to excess.
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