Refractive Indices Of Common Solvents - Waters 2410 Operator's Manual

Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
When you use unstabilized THF, ensure that your solvent is fresh. Previously opened bottles of
THF contain peroxide contaminants, which cause baseline drift.
Caution: THF contaminants (peroxides) are potentially explosive if concentrated or taken
to dryness.

Refractive Indices of Common Solvents

Table 4-1 lists the refractive indices for some common chromatographic solvents. Use this table to
verify that the solvent you intend to use for your analysis has an RI significantly different from the
sample components.
Table 4-1 Refractive Indices of Common Solvents
Solvent
Fluoroalkanes
Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)
Methanol
Water
Acetonitrile
Ethyl ether
n-Pentane
Acetone
Ethanol
Methyl acetate
Isopropyl ether
Ethyl acetate
1-Pentene
RI
1.25 Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
1.2752 Amyl alcohol
1.329 Diisobutylene
1.33 n-Decane
1.344 Amyl chloride
1.353 Dioxane
1.358 Ethyl bromide
1.359 Methylene chloride
1.361 Cyclohexane
1.362 Ethylene glycol
1.368 N,N-dimethyl formamide
(DMF)
1.370 N,N-dimethyl acetamide
(DMAC)
1.371 Ethyl sulfide
Solvent
1.408
1.410
1.411
1.412
1.413
1.422
1.424
1.424
1.427
1.427
1.428
1.438
1.442
Selecting a Solvent
RI
4
4-3