Hi Laurie,
I just did a very quick google search, and found this document which would suggest the flash point of that mixture to be around 10C. That definitely would meet the definition of ignitable characteristic.
http://www.ineos.com/globalassets/ineos-group/businesses/ineos-nitriles/she/2007_acetonitrile_brochure.pdf
Also, they are likely using trifluoroacetic acid, not tetrafluoroacetic acid, probably at 0.1%. This is a common mobile phase for peptide separations. I did a lot of that in grad school (in PA as well). We always disposed of used mobile phase as hazardous
waste.
Best of luck,
Kristi
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] on behalf of Laurie Yoder [laurie.yoder**At_Symbol_Here**EMU.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2016 12:59 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] HPLC solvent disposal
We have a research group that wants to begin a HPLC project using tetrafluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile mix (diluted to 40% in water) as the solvent. The student working on the project has used this procedure at another institution and said they
dumped the waste solvent down the drain. Really? I thought this would still have some characteristic hazard. Does anyone else have experience with this mixture, and how do you dispose of it properly?
--
Laurie M. Yoder
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Hygiene Officer
Eastern Mennonite University
1200 Park Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
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