petroleum ether

American  

noun

1. a flammable, low-boiling hydrocarbon mixture produced by the fractional distillation of petroleum, used as a solvent.

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petroleum ether British  

noun

1. a volatile mixture of the higher alkane hydrocarbons, obtained as a fraction of petroleum and used as a solvent

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Etymology

Origin of petroleum ether

First recorded in 1865–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petroleum ether

Determine the amount of pressure applied to the floor of the drum if the petroleum ether fills the drum to its top.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

The molecularly lighter substances are given off, beginning with petroleum ether.

From Time Magazine Archive

The solutions are put together, and the petroleum ether distilled off in vacuo at a low temperature, until there remains in the flask a dark brown sirup, which on cooling solidifies into a crystalline mass.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884 by Various

The acid liquor is run off, and the petroleum ether layer washed first with water and then with a solution of 1/2 gramme KOH and 5 c.c. alcohol in 50 c.c. water, and agitated.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by W. H. Simmons

Draw off the petroleum ether layer as closely as possible by means of a slender glass siphon into a separatory funnel of 500 cc. capacity.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by E. G. Thomssen

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