Very quick question on notation, M vs. M/L

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the notation used in chemistry, specifically the meanings of "M" and "mM" in the context of concentration measurements. Participants explore the implications of these notations in relation to calculations involving phenol solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a paper suggesting that "M" means moles per liter, while questioning if "mM" refers to milli moles or mM/L.
  • Another participant asserts that "M" typically stands for mol/L, clarifying that "mM" is millimole per liter.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding high concentrations, sharing their own calculations for preparing a phenol stock solution and questioning the amount needed for a 60 mM solution.
  • One participant provides a calculation for the mass of phenol needed for a 60 mM solution, prompting another participant to question their earlier calculations.
  • A later reply acknowledges the mistake in calculations and expresses a need to revisit basic chemistry concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of "M" and "mM" as mol/L and millimole per liter, respectively. However, there is uncertainty regarding the calculations related to the preparation of phenol solutions, with one participant admitting to confusion and needing to recalculate.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations presented are based on assumptions about molecular weights and concentration definitions, which may not have been explicitly stated or verified by all participants.

rwooduk
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From this paper... http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jp020363g there is a graph...
pxhou4u.jpg


Which I've been told the M means moles per litre. I now have another graph from this paper... http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp9937407 ...

ZEAjVGe.jpg


Which has mM, so is this mM/L or just milli moles?

Sorry for the basic question and thanks for any help!
 
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M typically stands for mol/L. In this case M is mole per liter, mM is millimole per liter.

I don't remember ever seeing M used to denote number of moles.
 
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Borek said:
M typically stands for mol/L. In this case M is mole per liter, mM is millimole per liter.

I don't remember ever seeing M used to denote number of moles.

Thanks Borek. I assumed this was the case but the high concentrations had me confused. i.e. I have been using 0.470g of phenol to make 10^-4 mol/L phenol stock solution = 0.1mMol/L.

From the graph above they are using up to 100 mMol/L.

If I calculate for 60mMol/L then I need 282g of phenol, which seems rather a lot.

But anyway, thank you very much for clearing this up!
 
The molecular weight of phenol is 94.1 g/mol. For a 60 mM solution:
##60\text{ mM} = \frac{60 \text{ mmol}}{\text{L}} * \frac{1 \text{ mol}}{10^3\text{ mmol}} *\frac{94.1\text{ g}}{\text{mol}} = 5.65 \text{ g/L}##

Are you sure your calculation is correct?
 
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Ygggdrasil said:
The molecular weight of phenol is 94.1 g/mol. For a 60 mM solution:
##60\text{ mM} = \frac{60 \text{ mmol}}{\text{L}} * \frac{1 \text{ mol}}{10^3\text{ mmol}} *\frac{94.1\text{ g}}{\text{mol}} = 5.65 \text{ g/L}##

Are you sure your calculation is correct?

No I'm not. Thanks very much for that, I'm going to have to revisit my basic chemistry, the more focused I get in my research the more the basics are leaving me, I got a first class degree in physics and can't remember anything ! Will recalculate everything this morning, thanks again!
 

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