Methanol

A forum to ask questions, post setups, and generally discuss anything having to do with photomacrography and photomicroscopy.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

Harald
Posts: 678
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 10:33 am
Location: Steinberg, Norway
Contact:

Methanol

Post by Harald »

Hi,
Anyone used Methanol to dissolve acids like Ascorbic, Tartaric or Amino?

Know that Methanol should be used with caution...
Kind Regards
Harald

Lier Fotoklubb / NSFF
AFIAP / CPS
BGF / GMV
http://www.500px.com/blender11

Chris S.
Site Admin
Posts: 4042
Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:55 pm
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Methanol

Post by Chris S. »

Harald wrote:Hi,
Anyone used Methanol to dissolve acids like Ascorbic, Tartaric or Amino?

Know that Methanol should be used with caution...
Harald,

Since I don't take pictures of crystallized compounds, I can't answer your question.

But your words "Methanol should be used with caution" raise question marks in my head. I'm happy to use Methanol for lens cleaning, slide cleaning, cover plate cleaning, making strews, and other things--all without worry. So long as one doesn't drink Methanol or keep a lit flame near it, it seems safe to work with. So I'm wondering: Are they dangers of methanol that you know about and I don''t?

--Chris S.

Harald
Posts: 678
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 10:33 am
Location: Steinberg, Norway
Contact:

Re: Methanol

Post by Harald »

Are they dangers of methanol that you know about and I don''t?
I think you covered it. I've read about Methanol at Wikipedia. will not drink it and keep it away from naked flames. Wiki said its deadly to swallow and burn with an almost invisible flame. So as long as we know this I think we are just fine.
Kind Regards
Harald

Lier Fotoklubb / NSFF
AFIAP / CPS
BGF / GMV
http://www.500px.com/blender11

Ichthyophthirius
Posts: 1152
Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:24 am

Post by Ichthyophthirius »

Hi Harald,

Not very often (and if so, usually in methanol-water mixtures).

It's easiest to just do a search for each substance. For example, for some amino acids: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/view ... xt=oa_diss

Methanol is also toxic through skin contact and respiratory uptake, although acute poisoning is unlikely if you work just with small amounts.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5625597/

Regards, Ichty

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic