Silicon Dioxide
SiO2xH2O
Anhydrous 60.08
» Silicon Dioxide is obtained by insolubilizing the dissolved silica in sodium silicate solution. Where obtained by the addition of sodium silicate to a mineral acid, the product is termed silica gel; where obtained by the destabilization of a solution of sodium silicate in such manner as to yield very fine particles, the product is termed precipitated silica. After ignition at 1000
for not less than 1 hour, it contains not less than 99.0 percent of SiO2.
for not less than 1 hour, it contains not less than 99.0 percent of SiO2.
Packaging and storage—
Preserve in tight containers, protected from moisture.
Labeling—
Label it to state whether it is silica gel or precipitated silica.
Identification—
Transfer about 5 mg to a platinum crucible, mix with about 200 mg of anhydrous potassium carbonate, ignite at a red heat over a burner for 10 minutes, and cool. Dissolve the melt in 2 mL of recently distilled water, warming if necessary, and slowly add 2 mL of ammonium molybdate TS: a deep yellow color is produced.
pH 
791
:
between 4 and 8, in a slurry (1 in 20).
791:
between 4 and 8, in a slurry (1 in 20).
Loss on drying 731—
Dry it at 145 for 4 hours: it loses not more than 5.0% of its weight.
731—
Dry it at 145 for 4 hours: it loses not more than 5.0% of its weight.
Loss on ignition 733—
Ignite about 1 g of it, previously dried and accurately weighed, at 1000 for not less than 1 hour: it loses not more than 8.5% of its weight.
733—
Ignite about 1 g of it, previously dried and accurately weighed, at 1000 for not less than 1 hour: it loses not more than 8.5% of its weight.
Chloride 221—
Boil 5 g in 50 mL of water under a reflux condenser for 2 hours, cool, and filter. A 7-mL portion of the filtrate shows no more chloride than corresponds to 1.0 mL of 0.020 N hydrochloric acid (0.1%).
221—
Boil 5 g in 50 mL of water under a reflux condenser for 2 hours, cool, and filter. A 7-mL portion of the filtrate shows no more chloride than corresponds to 1.0 mL of 0.020 N hydrochloric acid (0.1%).
Sulfate 221—
A 10-mL portion of the filtrate obtained in the test for Chloride shows no more sulfate than corresponds to 5.0 mL of 0.020 N sulfuric acid (0.5%).
221—
A 10-mL portion of the filtrate obtained in the test for Chloride shows no more sulfate than corresponds to 5.0 mL of 0.020 N sulfuric acid (0.5%).
Arsenic, Method I 211—
Prepare the Test Preparation as follows. Transfer 4.0 g to a platinum dish, add 5 mL of nitric acid and 35 mL of hydrofluoric acid, and evaporate on a steam bath. Cool, add 5 mL of perchloric acid, 10 mL of hydrofluoric acid, and 10 mL of sulfuric acid, and evaporate on a hot plate to the production of heavy fumes. Cool, cautiously transfer to a 100-mL beaker with the aid of a few mL of hydrochloric acid, and evaporate to dryness. Cool, add 5 mL of hydrochloric acid, dilute with water to about 40 mL, and heat to dissolve any residue. Cool, transfer to a 100-mL volumetric flask, dilute with water to volume, and mix. A 25.0-mL portion of this solution meets the requirements of the test. The limit is 3 ppm.
211—
Prepare the Test Preparation as follows. Transfer 4.0 g to a platinum dish, add 5 mL of nitric acid and 35 mL of hydrofluoric acid, and evaporate on a steam bath. Cool, add 5 mL of perchloric acid, 10 mL of hydrofluoric acid, and 10 mL of sulfuric acid, and evaporate on a hot plate to the production of heavy fumes. Cool, cautiously transfer to a 100-mL beaker with the aid of a few mL of hydrochloric acid, and evaporate to dryness. Cool, add 5 mL of hydrochloric acid, dilute with water to about 40 mL, and heat to dissolve any residue. Cool, transfer to a 100-mL volumetric flask, dilute with water to volume, and mix. A 25.0-mL portion of this solution meets the requirements of the test. The limit is 3 ppm.
Heavy metals, Method I 231—
Transfer 16.7 mL of the solution prepared for the test for Arsenic into a 100-mL beaker, and neutralize with ammonium hydroxide to litmus paper. Adjust with 6 N acetic acid to a pH of between 3 and 4. Filter, using medium-speed filter paper, wash with water until the filtrate and washings measure 40 mL, and mix. The limit is 0.003%.
231—
Transfer 16.7 mL of the solution prepared for the test for Arsenic into a 100-mL beaker, and neutralize with ammonium hydroxide to litmus paper. Adjust with 6 N acetic acid to a pH of between 3 and 4. Filter, using medium-speed filter paper, wash with water until the filtrate and washings measure 40 mL, and mix. The limit is 0.003%.
Assay—
Transfer about 1 g of Silica Gel to a tared platinum dish, ignite at 1000 for 1 hour, cool in a desiccator, and weigh. Carefully wet with water, and add about 10 mL of hydrofluoric acid, in small increments. Evaporate on a steam bath to dryness, and cool. Add about 10 mL of hydrofluoric acid and about 0.5 mL of sulfuric acid, and evaporate to dryness. Slowly increase the temperature until all of the acids have been volatilized, and ignite at 1000. Cool in a desiccator, and weigh. The difference between the final weight and the weight of the initially ignited portion represents the weight of SiO2.
for 1 hour, cool in a desiccator, and weigh. Carefully wet with water, and add about 10 mL of hydrofluoric acid, in small increments. Evaporate on a steam bath to dryness, and cool. Add about 10 mL of hydrofluoric acid and about 0.5 mL of sulfuric acid, and evaporate to dryness. Slowly increase the temperature until all of the acids have been volatilized, and ignite at 1000. Cool in a desiccator, and weigh. The difference between the final weight and the weight of the initially ignited portion represents the weight of SiO2.
Auxiliary Information—
Please check for your question in the FAQs before contacting USP.
Chromatographic Column—
| Topic/Question | Contact | Expert Committee |
| Monograph | Kevin T. Moore, Ph.D.
Scientist 1-301-816-8369 |
(EM105) Excipient Monographs 1 |
USP32–NF27 Page 1337
Pharmacopeial Forum: Volume No. 31(4) Page 1229
Chromatographic columns text is not derived from, and not part of, USP 32 or NF 27.