Question

Is it advisable or not to leave a solution in drying agent for a few days?

~I did this ..since my chem lab instructor said to but I'm not sure I believe him. He sounded unsure of himself when he answered me.

solution: methylene chloride (extracting oil of caraway)

drying agent: anhydrous sodium sulfate

(being) left from: tuesday- next tuesday

thanks

Answer 1

Anhydrous Na2SO4 is a well-known drying agent for organic solvents. I think you wrote earlier that you had purchased The Merck Index. Look in your copy for sodium sulfate and read under "uses."