Beilstein test
Description
A flame test used to detect the presence of halogens in organic compounds. The Beilstein test is commonly used to identify polyvinyl chloride (PVC). To conduct the test, a piece of copper wire or copper gauze placed in a flame to burn off impurities. When the flame shows no green, the copper wire is removed and a small piece or drop of the material to be tested is placed on its surface, then metal is returned to the flame. A green flame is a positive result for the presence of a halogen compound.
Synonyms and Related Terms
"pyrolysis test for chlorine; Beilsteinprobe (Deut.)
Other Properties
Fluorine is not detected by this test.
Fingerprints may give a false positive result.
Additional Information
° N.Odegaard, S.Carroll, W.Zimmt, Material Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology Archetype Publications, London, 2000, p. 106. ° S.Williams, The Beilstein Test: A Simple Test to Screen Organic and Polymeric Materials for the Presence of Chlorine. CCI Notes No. 17/1, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, 1989.
Authority
- N.Odegaard, S.Carroll, W.Zimmt, Material Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology, Archetype Publications, London, 2000
- Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993