Division 4.3 Diethyl ether, peroxide-free

Note 1:

To test for peroxide, add to 10 ml of the ether in a small glass stoppered cylinder, previously rinsed with the ether, 1 ml freshly prepared 10 % potassium iodide solution. Shake and let stand for one minute. No yellow colour should be observed in either layer.

Note 2:

Diethyl ether may be maintained free from peroxides by adding wet zinc foil that has been completely immersed in dilute acidified copper sulphate solution for one minute and subsequently washed with water. Use per litre approximately 8 000 mm² zinc foil cut in strips long enough to reach at least halfway up the container.