Corrosion of metals in carbon tetrachloride-containing solvents

Abstract

Mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with ethers and alcohols attack stainless steels appreciably. This corrosive reaction is especially severe in dry solvents and in the presence of light. Reaction of carbon tetrachloride with ether and alcohol groups, with liberation of hydrogen chloride, also takes place in the absence of metals and should be kept in mind whenever using carbon tetrachloride. The attack by these solvents on stainless-steel high-performance liquid chromatography equipment is considered.