[Histonet] Re: isopentane

[Robert Richmond]

Carmen Loiselle asks about possible substitutes for Isopentane
(2-methylbutane) for freezing muscle.

Acetone is sometimes used, but is also a serious explosion hazard.

I think that some people are using a fluorocarbon for this purpose, namely

3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluid HFE-7100
This product belongs to a class of fluorocarbons called
"segregated hydrofluoroethers (HFE's)"
According to various MSDS, HFE-7100 is
methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether
C4F9-O-CH3
It melts and freezes at -135 C, so that it would remain liquid in the
Histobath. (It would freeze solid in liquid nitrogen, however.)
It boils at 60 C., and is listed as non-flammable.
It cost around $230 a gallon a few years ago - expensive, but it
evaporates very slowly.

I've posted about the subject on Histonet before. Has anyone on
Histonet tried this stuff?

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN