drying agents

Question

Which is a suitable drying agent for neutral organic solvents like ether?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Selection Criteria**: A drying agent should be chemically inert toward the solvent and the solute, yet have a high affinity for water.
2. **Anhydrous $CaCl_2$**: It is a generic, effective drying agent for alkanes and ethers. It works by forming stable hydrates ($CaCl_2 \cdot xH_2O$).
3. **Prohibitions**: 
   - Concentrated $H_2SO_4$ is too reactive and oxidizing (can dehydrate or oxidize organic molecules).
   - $NaOH$ is basic and can react with sensitive functional groups or catalyze reactions.
   - $KMnO_4$ is an oxidant, not a drying agent.
4. **Caution**: Anhydrous $CaCl_2$ cannot be used for drying alcohols or amines because it reacts with them to form complex addition compounds.

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drying agents

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