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

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The discussion centers on the interpretation of concentration units in scientific papers, specifically the meaning of "M" and "mM." "M" is confirmed to stand for moles per liter (mol/L), while "mM" denotes millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A participant expresses confusion over high concentrations and calculations involving phenol, initially miscalculating the amount needed for a 60 mM solution. The correct calculation for a 60 mM solution of phenol, with a molecular weight of 94.1 g/mol, is clarified to be 5.65 g/L, not the previously assumed higher amount. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding basic chemistry concepts, especially when conducting research.
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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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