Stability of chemicals in storage

Does anyone have any information about the stability of chemicals in
storage? My chemistry knowledge is a little lacking.  I have
discovered a cabinet full of old bottles (most of the labelled
fortunately) and it is possible they are about 15 years old.

The ones I am interested in are the Kaiserling 1 and 2. The others
include ones with Sodii (sodium I presume), magnesium and potassium
in their names and other wonderful acids.  The bottles vary in size
from 3 litres bottles to 50ml--it's a very mixed collection.  They
are left over from the days the Museum had its own conservator and
taxidermist.  I would want to use the Kaiserlings for sorting out
the wet specimen collection if they are ok.  The chemicals are
currently kept in a metal cabinet in a room with a fairly stable

Any other non-useful ones are going to be disposed of through
specialists.

Claire Sturman
Natural Science Officer
Portsmouth City Museum and Records Service
Museum Road
Portsmouth PO1 2LJ
+44 2 9282 7261


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:65
                    Distributed: Friday, May 8, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-22-65-013
                                  ***