Brigham Young University
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
For hazardous chemicals used in crystal mounting
Principal Investigator: Dr. Branton Campbell
Primary Contact: Dr. Branton Campbell
Secondary Contact: Dr. Robert Davis
422-5758
422-3238
Lab #: U185
Building: Eyring Science Center
Contents
Description of Work and Scope of SOP
Precautions
General Notes
Prequalifications
Required Equipment, Safety Equipment and Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Guidelines of Safety
Waste Disposal Procedures
Chemicals Used
Mixtures and Ratios
Chemical Spill / Release Procedures
Completed By: Jeff Christenson
Edited By: Branton Campbell
Approved By:
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Description of Work and Scope of SOP
This SOP addresses the work performed to prepare, mount and clean crystals for x-ray diffraction. Also, this SOP
addresses removal of waste chemicals and cleaning of equipment. This applies to all professors, undergraduate
and graduate students, and lab personnel.
PRECAUTIONS:
 PROTECTIVE GEAR MUST BE WORN WHILE HANDLING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AND WHEN USING THE
PIPETTE PULLER

ENSURE ALL GEAR IS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER BEFORE USE
GENERAL NOTES
 BEAKERS, JARS AND OTHER CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED ACCORDING TO THE CHEMICAL(S) THEY
CONTAIN.
 CLEAN AREA IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE TO ENSURE ALL LAB USERS ARE SAFE
Prequalifications
Before proceeding, all workers must:
 Receive the proper training from Professor Campbell or other assigned by Professor Campbell to conduct
the safety training
 Read and understand this SOP prior to beginning experiment.
Required Equipment and Safety Equipment
Equipment
 Microscope
 Pipette Puller
 Glass pipettes
 Brass pin holders
 Crystal moving tools
 Glue
 Acids
 Solvents
 All other chemicals
 Hot plates
 Glassware
Safety Equipment
 Standard and splash proof goggles
 High-temperature gloves
 Face shields
 Fume hood
 Latex and nitrile gloves
 MSDS book
Location
Center desk top
Left desk top
Third drawer of drawers labeled Microscopy
Third drawer of drawers labeled Microscopy
Second drawer of drawers labeled Microscopy
Second drawer of drawers labeled Microscopy
Left cupboard under fume hood
Right cupboard under fume hood
Cabinet marked as such over center desk top
Inside of fume hood
In cabinets above sink
Location
Drawers directly to the left upon entering room
Drawers directly to the left upon entering room
Drawers directly to the left upon entering room
Left wall next to the sink
Cupboard above center desk labeled lab supplies
Just outside the lab door
Guidelines of Safety
Most of the work done in this lab is does not involve hazardous chemicals. When hazardous chemicals are
employed, common sense, protective gear, and proper protocal are will ensure personal and lab safety.
For small quantities (less than 1 mL) of common solvents such as acetone and methanol applied using squirt
bottles, latex gloves or nitrile gloves, eyewear, and labcoats are recommended but not required.
In all other cases, the proper gloves, eyewear, and long-sleeve labcoats must be worn. Appropriate glove type
can be determined using the wallchart just outside the lab. Safety glasses are generally adequate, except when
working with larger quantities of liquid chemicals that pose a spash risk, in which case safety goggles or a faceshield must be worn. Strong liquids and bases should only be used within a fume hood.
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Process
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Use pipette puller to create a glass needle
Glue glass needle to brass pin with 5-min epoxy
Select, size and orient desired crystal by using the microscope, chemicals, and crystal mounting tools
Place needle in micro-positioner
Using the micro-positioner, practice moving the needle toward the crystal to correctly glue the crystal
Apply epoxy to needle
Move the needle to properly attach to the crystal
Wait 5-10 minutes for epoxy to dry
Note: The chemicals mentioned in this SOP are used for cleaning crystals and cleaning lab equipment and area.
Waste Disposal Procedures:
Properly dispose of all used chemicals in the designated waste containers. Waste containers are labeled and
located within secondary containment inside the acid and flammable liquids (solvent) chemical cabinets. (Note:
the flammable liquids cabinet has built in secondary containment, and the plastic tub(s) inside the acids cabinet
constitutes secondary containment.) Contact Chemicals Management (422-6156) for removal when chemical
waste containers are full and verify that the replacement containers are correctly labeled.
Chemicals Used:
The following list of chemicals does not take the place of the required MSDS, which provide information
regarding signs and symptoms of exposure, exposure limits, physical appearance, etc.
Notes: NFPA Ratings and CAS Numbers Can Be Found on most MSDS, and NFPA ratings range from 0 (minimal) to 4 (severe).
Health
Flammability
Reactivity
Chemical Name
CAS
67-64-1
67-63-0
67-56-1
Starting
Concentration
(percent)
100
88
100
NFPA
Ratings
1
3
0
1
3
0
1
3
0
Other Hazards
Carcinogen, Skin Absorption, etc.
Acetone
Isopropyl Alcohol
Methanol
Note: HMIS or Saf-T-Data ratings may be substituted for NFPA ratings, when NFPA ratings do not exist. N = Not
Determined
Chemical Spill / Release Procedures:
Paper towels can be used to absorb spilled Acetone, Isopropyl Alcohol, and Methanol, which must be cleaned up
while wearing:
 Latex gloves
 Splash-proof safety goggles
While performing cleanup, place contaminated absorbent materials in a plastic bag that can be sealed to be liquid
tight, for waste pick-up. Contact Chemicals Management (422-6156) to have the waste removed.
For large spills of methanol, quickly use an absorbent, such as sand, before much methanol has evaporated into
the air.
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