Agent

Filtration agent
Dehydrating agent
Drying agent

Filtration agent
Filter aid

Chemical substance added to a solution to facilitate filtration.

For example, by increasing the sizes particles which are to be filtered off or by decreasing the likelihood of small particles slipping through the pores of the filter.

Drying agent

A substance that can be used to remove residual amounts of water.

For example, finely powdered anhydrous MgSO₄ is suspended in an organic liquid containing traces of water and CaCl₂ or silica gel can be used to remove the water vapour, e.g. in desiccators and guard tubes.

Dehydrating agent

A substance used to remove water of solvation from crystals or molecules of water from an organic molecule.

For example: P₂O₅ can be used to convert ethanoic acid into ethanoic anhydride according to the reaction

2CH₃COOH(CH₃CO)₂O + H₂O

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