[Histonet] Molecular sieves for anhydrous acetone

[Martin S.]

Hi All,

I realise this has been discussed before but just another quick
question...........

I want to use some molecular sieves (3A) to keep my acetone anhydrous (I
will use the acetone for fixing frozen tissue sections). How much should
I use and how long do they last? I got them from Sigma but there was no
protocol except to say that 100g should hold 21g water. My acetone will
only have a very small amount of water so if I put a lot of sieves in
(say 10-20g in 100ml) how long will it last ie. days, weeks, months,
years before I need to change the sieves?

Also, someone mentioned before that they use dialysis tubing to keep the
sieves in so that they don't get the sediment in the solution - but
doesn't dialysis tubing need to be soaked in water before use?

Thanks for your help guys!

Sonya