The International Pharmacopoeia - Sixth Edition, 2016 Anaesthetic Ether (Ether anaesthesicus)
Anaesthetic Ether (Ether anaesthesicus) Molecular formula. C H O 4 10 Relative molecular mass. 74.12
Graphic formula.
Chemical name. Ethyl ether; 1,1'-oxybis[ethane]; diethyl ether; CAS Reg. No. 60-29-7.
Description. A clear, colourless, volatile, very mobile liquid; odour, characteristic.
Miscibility. Miscible with 10 parts of water; miscible with ethanol (~750 g/l) TS.
Category. General anaesthetic.
Storage. Anaesthetic Ether should be kept in a securely closed, dry container, protected from light, at a temperature not exceeding 15 °C, and in quantities of not more than 1 kg.
Labelling. The designation on the container of anaesthetic Ether must state: "Highly flammable. Do not use near an open flame or other sources of heat that may cause ignition." The name and quantity of any antioxidant added must be stated.
Additional information. Anaesthetic Ether may contain a suitable antioxidant. It must not be used for anaesthesia if it has been removed from its original container for longer than 24 hours. Ether remaining in partially used containers may deteriorate rapidly. CAUTION: Vapours of ether mixed with air, oxygen, or nitrous oxide in certain concentrations are explosive. Do not use an open flame at any time during the testing procedure.
Requirements
Distillation range
• It is dangerous to determine the distillation range of the test liquid if it does not comply with the test for Peroxides.
Use a suitable heating device, and take precautions to avoid superheating the distillation flask above the level of the test liquid; it distils completely between 34.0 and 35.0 °C.
Relative density. = 0.713 - 0.716.
Non-volatile residue
• It is dangerous to determine the non-volatile residue of the test liquid if it does not comply with the test for Peroxides.
Allow 50 mL to evaporate, dry the residue at 105°C for 1 hour and weigh; it leaves not more than 20 μg/mL.
Acidity. Place 10 mL of ethanol (~750 g/l) TS in a 50-mL glass-stoppered flask, add 0.5 mL of phenolphthalein/ethanol TS and just sufficient carbonate-free sodium hydroxide (0.02 mol/l) VS to produce a pink colour that persists after shaking the mixture for 30 seconds; add 25 mL of the test liquid, mix gently, and add carbonate-free sodium hydroxide (0.02 mol/l) VS until the pink colour persists after shaking the mixture for 30 seconds; not more than 0.4 mL of additional carbonate-free sodium hydroxide is required.
Peroxides. To 10 mL of the test liquid add 2.0 mL of vanadium/sulfuric acid TS and shake. Separately prepare a reference solution by diluting 1.0 mL of hydrogen peroxide (~60 g/l) TS to 100 mL with water. To 0.10 mL of this reference solution add 2.0 mL of vanadium/sulfuric acid TS. The colour produced in the aqueous layer in the tube containing the test liquid, when viewed transversely against a white background, is not more intense than that of the reference solution when compared as described under 1.11 Colour of liquids.
Acetone and aldehydes. Transfer 2 mL of alkaline potassio-mercuric iodide TS to a glass-stoppered test-tube of about 12 mL capacity and about 1.5 cm diameter, and add 10 mL of the test liquid. Shake the tube vigorously for 10 seconds and allow to stand in the dark for 5 minutes; no turbidity is produced. If the test liquid does not comply with this requirement, distil 40 mL, previously ensuring that it complies with the test for Peroxides, until only 5 mL remains; repeat the test on the distillate.
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