Choosing between glass and plastic containers

• Reactivity: Plastic vessels often distort at relatively low temperature, may be inflammable, may dissolve in certain organic solvents and may be affected by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Opacity: Both glass and plastic absorb light in the UV range of the electromagnetic spectrum (Table 3.2). Quartz should be used where this is important, e.g. in cells for UV spectrophotometry or photochemistry.
• Contamination: Some plasticizers may leach from vessels, especially with some organic solvents, such as DCM. Glass may adsorb ions and other molecules and then leach them into solutions, especially under acidic or alkaline conditions. Pyrex^® glass is stronger than ordinary soda glass (rarely found except in specific items such as Pasteur pipettes and melting point tubes, but check if you are not sure) and can withstand temperatures up to 500°C.
• Rigidity and resilience: Plastic vessels are not recommended where volume is critical as they may distort through time. Glass vessels are more easily broken than plastic.
• Disposability: Plastic items may be cheap enough to make them disposable, an advantage where there is a risk of chemical contamination.