So I'm possibly going to work with diiodomethane (CH2I2) to conduct a density separation. My questions are now:
1. What should I solve CH2I2 in as this is not very soluble in water.
2. How reactive will the solved CH2I2 to other chemicals found in sediments? MEtals, carbonates and organic compunds are of main concern.
3. Will Ch2I2 exchange carbon atoms with CaCO3 or will it work as a catalyzator and exchange oxygen atoms with CaCO3?
I know the chemical is toxic but this experiment requires a high density liquid (>3g/mL) which of the density should be able to be manipulated by adding more solvent to the solution.
Dear Mr. Husa,
I used methyl iodide, another name for the same chemical compound, in solvents of benzene or xylene. Also other organic solvents work. It was very helpful to separate apatite grains. It is toxic indeed. You should wear safety goggles and rubber gloves and manipulate under a ventilation hood. I did not find any reaction with mineral matters in the heavy mineral assemblages. Question number 3, I cannot give a proper answer to, because of different aims of my study. I myself have not heard anything about exchange reactions between calcite and organic solvents used during heavy liquid separation. If you have a special solution you should purchase those of high- or ultra-high purity depending upon the issues you are working on.
Good luck !
Harald G. Dill
what about heavy liquid, with water soluble salts.
you could choose from list in wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_liquid
You have not to be afraid about exchange of carbon atoms, however, I would not role out transfer of iodine to organic substances.
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