Is there a commercial liquid with refractive index greater than n=2?Is there a liquid crystal or similar...

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Is there a commercial liquid with refractive index greater than n=2?


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16












$begingroup$


For an application I need a commercial, transparent liquid with refractive index $n>2$.




  1. Is this kind of liquid available?


  2. What's the chemical composition of this?



On the web, only $n=1.81$ is routine.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$










  • 7




    $begingroup$
    Transparent over what wavelength range? This type of requirement needs more specifications. Can you tolerate some absorption at some wavelengths? How much? What about dispersion? Do you need n=2 at 450nm? At 700nm?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    The temperature ranges over which it should be liquid may also be relevant.
    $endgroup$
    – Roger
    yesterday






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at visible region (380-700 nm)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at room temperature (T=23 C)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    By any chance, does this question have to deal with gemology and OTL ("over the limit") refractive index measurements of gemstones? If so, please see this URL for how to modify a microscope to measure refractive indices above 1.81: gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81 . Given the stated requirements (room temperature; 380-700 nm; transparent), the standard sulfur in methylene iodide is the practical solution for gemological and mineralogical testing with the standard methodology.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed V
    11 hours ago


















16












$begingroup$


For an application I need a commercial, transparent liquid with refractive index $n>2$.




  1. Is this kind of liquid available?


  2. What's the chemical composition of this?



On the web, only $n=1.81$ is routine.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$










  • 7




    $begingroup$
    Transparent over what wavelength range? This type of requirement needs more specifications. Can you tolerate some absorption at some wavelengths? How much? What about dispersion? Do you need n=2 at 450nm? At 700nm?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    The temperature ranges over which it should be liquid may also be relevant.
    $endgroup$
    – Roger
    yesterday






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at visible region (380-700 nm)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at room temperature (T=23 C)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    By any chance, does this question have to deal with gemology and OTL ("over the limit") refractive index measurements of gemstones? If so, please see this URL for how to modify a microscope to measure refractive indices above 1.81: gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81 . Given the stated requirements (room temperature; 380-700 nm; transparent), the standard sulfur in methylene iodide is the practical solution for gemological and mineralogical testing with the standard methodology.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed V
    11 hours ago














16












16








16


1



$begingroup$


For an application I need a commercial, transparent liquid with refractive index $n>2$.




  1. Is this kind of liquid available?


  2. What's the chemical composition of this?



On the web, only $n=1.81$ is routine.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




For an application I need a commercial, transparent liquid with refractive index $n>2$.




  1. Is this kind of liquid available?


  2. What's the chemical composition of this?



On the web, only $n=1.81$ is routine.







analytical-chemistry optical-properties






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 16 hours ago









Rodrigo de Azevedo

98610 silver badges17 bronze badges




98610 silver badges17 bronze badges










asked 2 days ago









Persian_GulfPersian_Gulf

2091 silver badge6 bronze badges




2091 silver badge6 bronze badges











  • 7




    $begingroup$
    Transparent over what wavelength range? This type of requirement needs more specifications. Can you tolerate some absorption at some wavelengths? How much? What about dispersion? Do you need n=2 at 450nm? At 700nm?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    The temperature ranges over which it should be liquid may also be relevant.
    $endgroup$
    – Roger
    yesterday






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at visible region (380-700 nm)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at room temperature (T=23 C)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    By any chance, does this question have to deal with gemology and OTL ("over the limit") refractive index measurements of gemstones? If so, please see this URL for how to modify a microscope to measure refractive indices above 1.81: gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81 . Given the stated requirements (room temperature; 380-700 nm; transparent), the standard sulfur in methylene iodide is the practical solution for gemological and mineralogical testing with the standard methodology.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed V
    11 hours ago














  • 7




    $begingroup$
    Transparent over what wavelength range? This type of requirement needs more specifications. Can you tolerate some absorption at some wavelengths? How much? What about dispersion? Do you need n=2 at 450nm? At 700nm?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    The temperature ranges over which it should be liquid may also be relevant.
    $endgroup$
    – Roger
    yesterday






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at visible region (380-700 nm)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Roger at room temperature (T=23 C)
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    By any chance, does this question have to deal with gemology and OTL ("over the limit") refractive index measurements of gemstones? If so, please see this URL for how to modify a microscope to measure refractive indices above 1.81: gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81 . Given the stated requirements (room temperature; 380-700 nm; transparent), the standard sulfur in methylene iodide is the practical solution for gemological and mineralogical testing with the standard methodology.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed V
    11 hours ago








7




7




$begingroup$
Transparent over what wavelength range? This type of requirement needs more specifications. Can you tolerate some absorption at some wavelengths? How much? What about dispersion? Do you need n=2 at 450nm? At 700nm?
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




$begingroup$
Transparent over what wavelength range? This type of requirement needs more specifications. Can you tolerate some absorption at some wavelengths? How much? What about dispersion? Do you need n=2 at 450nm? At 700nm?
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




5




5




$begingroup$
The temperature ranges over which it should be liquid may also be relevant.
$endgroup$
– Roger
yesterday




$begingroup$
The temperature ranges over which it should be liquid may also be relevant.
$endgroup$
– Roger
yesterday




2




2




$begingroup$
@Roger at visible region (380-700 nm)
$endgroup$
– Persian_Gulf
17 hours ago




$begingroup$
@Roger at visible region (380-700 nm)
$endgroup$
– Persian_Gulf
17 hours ago




2




2




$begingroup$
@Roger at room temperature (T=23 C)
$endgroup$
– Persian_Gulf
17 hours ago




$begingroup$
@Roger at room temperature (T=23 C)
$endgroup$
– Persian_Gulf
17 hours ago




2




2




$begingroup$
By any chance, does this question have to deal with gemology and OTL ("over the limit") refractive index measurements of gemstones? If so, please see this URL for how to modify a microscope to measure refractive indices above 1.81: gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81 . Given the stated requirements (room temperature; 380-700 nm; transparent), the standard sulfur in methylene iodide is the practical solution for gemological and mineralogical testing with the standard methodology.
$endgroup$
– Ed V
11 hours ago




$begingroup$
By any chance, does this question have to deal with gemology and OTL ("over the limit") refractive index measurements of gemstones? If so, please see this URL for how to modify a microscope to measure refractive indices above 1.81: gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81 . Given the stated requirements (room temperature; 380-700 nm; transparent), the standard sulfur in methylene iodide is the practical solution for gemological and mineralogical testing with the standard methodology.
$endgroup$
– Ed V
11 hours ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















27












$begingroup$

Definition of refractive index:



$n=frac {c}{v}$



If n>2 then this means that the velocity of light in the material is less than half than in vacuum so there must be a strong interaction with the material.




One of the highest refractory index in liquids is 1.79(20°C) possessed by a solution of sulfur in methylene iodide($CH_2I_2$). Liquids are less dense than solids and this explains why it's difficult to have a refractory index greater than 2.
I found a nature article that says:




Selenium monobromide, Se2Br2, has a higher
refractive index than that of any pure liquid hitherto
recorded. Prepared by direct combination, the value
for $nu$ is 1.96±0.01 rising to 2.02 on exposure to the
atmosphere, owing to decomposition of the bromide,
with separation and reabsorption of selenium.




https://www.nature.com/articles/133066b0



EDIT: From a more recent paper(2016), selenium monobromide is confirmed as one of the liquid with the highest refraction index(>2). However, diiodomethane is more easily accessible commercially.




A promising candidate solvent is the organic liquid diiodomethane (CH2I2), which is one of the liquids with the highest
known refractive index values (n = 1.74). While other high
refractive index liquids exist (phenyldi-iodoarsine (C6H5AsI2)
with n = 1.85 and selenium monobromide (Se2Br2) with n=
2.1), diiodomethane has the key advantage of being commercially available. In addition, diiodomethane is an excellent
solvent, and many liquid formulations using salts dissolved in
diiodomethane are reported to increase the refractive index
and are even available commercially.




https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-55-12-3165






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$











  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
    $endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    11 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
    $endgroup$
    – Davidmh
    11 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
    $endgroup$
    – blu potatos
    8 hours ago



















15












$begingroup$

To complement @blu_potatos's answer, there are some other contenders having refractive index greater than 2





  1. Arsenic di/trisulfide and sulfur and/or selenium and/or mercuric sulfide in arsenic tribromide solvent having refractive index ranging from 2.0 to 2.07 (arsenic tribromide seem to attack the lead-glass prisms of refractometers, corroding metal, poisonous in nature and reactive toward some minerals)


  2. phosphorus and/or sulfur in carbon sulfide solvent having R.I= 2.01/2.07 (carbon disulfide is highly volatile, very flammable and poisonous.
    Solutions containing white phosphorus should be kept in the dark as
    light causes the conversion of the white phosphorus to the red form,
    which is more poisonous).


  3. Selenium and/or sulfur in phosphorus solvent having R.I =2.2-2.5 (Solutions of selenium in phosphorus cannot be stored for long under water as they decompose).


  4. Selenium in selenium monobromide solvent having R.I>2.02 (Selenium monobromide is unstable decomposing to selenium)


  5. A ternary system of phosphorus-sulfur-methylene iodide having R.I upto 2.06 has been observed


begin{array}{c|c}
mathbf{component} & mathbf{R.I} \hline
text{P(solid) at 29°C } & text{2.15}\
text{P(liq.) at 44°C } & text{2.10}\
text{P-S-CH2I2 at 25°C } & text{2.06} \
text{P-CH2I2(satd.) at 18°C} & text{1.94}\
text{CH2I2 at 15°C } & text{1.74}end{array}



There are loads of other liquids having R.I value in between 1.5-2.0 which are stable and can be used commercially. See references



References





  1. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM40/AM40_398.pdf (1-4)


  2. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM21/AM21_245.pdf (5)

  3. https://www.osapublishing.org/DirectPDFAccess/71A8545D-AFC6-6350-82F044C815273272_338928/ao-55-12-3165.pdf?da=1&id=338928&seq=0&mobile=no






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$











  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    2 days ago








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
    $endgroup$
    – davidbak
    2 days ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
    $endgroup$
    – Nilay Ghosh
    2 days ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    yesterday








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
    $endgroup$
    – Persian_Gulf
    17 hours ago



















6












$begingroup$

Solutions of phosphorous in carbon disulfide are not only smelly and toxic, but they're hideously prone to catching fire. Methyene iodide is carcinogenic. Selenium and its compounds are toxic and notoriously evil-smelling.
Because we're playing around in the periodic table's bad neighborhood, high RI liquids are uniformly, extremely unpleasant.



The refractive index of liquid iodine is 1.934 at 114°C
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642818608239022
This might be the best candidate for conducting experiments. Transparency in the visible range (above 450 nm) is very limited, but at least the stuff won't incinerate you, kill you, or induce your neighbors to kill you.






share|improve this answer










New contributor



James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





$endgroup$























    4












    $begingroup$

    Based on the OP’s two questions and the OP’s several comments, the OP wants to know if there is a commercially available liquid which, at 23°C, is transparent in the range 380 to 700 nm. As the OP stated in a comment, the liquid should be “not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones).”



    In gemological testing of the refractive indices of gemstones, the upper limit of refractive index is 1.81, if a contact liquid is used in a conventional gemological refractometer. See, for example, https://www.gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81/ . As noted in this substantive article, at http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer , the two high refractive index contact liquids are




    1. a saturated solution of sulfur in di-iodomethane (n = 1.79) and

    2. a saturated solution of sulfur, di-iodomethane and tetraiodoethylene (n = 1.81).


    Not the most pleasant solutions, but much better than the exotic and far more toxic possibilities that “are so toxic that they are only used in specially equipped laboratories”. (Quote from http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer).



    So the answers to the OP's two questions are "no" and "does not apply", respectively.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$























      -4












      $begingroup$

      Sucrose or glucose in H2O = approx 1.4-1.5 depending on composition and concentration



      Glycerol = 1.473
      Toluene = 1.5
      Chlorobenzene = 1.524



      Getting higher than that without very high flammability/toxicity/reactivity is hard






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor



      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





      $endgroup$











      • 3




        $begingroup$
        See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
        $endgroup$
        – DrMoishe Pippik
        yesterday






      • 3




        $begingroup$
        If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
        $endgroup$
        – Mark
        yesterday






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
        $endgroup$
        – Mithoron
        11 hours ago














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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes








      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      27












      $begingroup$

      Definition of refractive index:



      $n=frac {c}{v}$



      If n>2 then this means that the velocity of light in the material is less than half than in vacuum so there must be a strong interaction with the material.




      One of the highest refractory index in liquids is 1.79(20°C) possessed by a solution of sulfur in methylene iodide($CH_2I_2$). Liquids are less dense than solids and this explains why it's difficult to have a refractory index greater than 2.
      I found a nature article that says:




      Selenium monobromide, Se2Br2, has a higher
      refractive index than that of any pure liquid hitherto
      recorded. Prepared by direct combination, the value
      for $nu$ is 1.96±0.01 rising to 2.02 on exposure to the
      atmosphere, owing to decomposition of the bromide,
      with separation and reabsorption of selenium.




      https://www.nature.com/articles/133066b0



      EDIT: From a more recent paper(2016), selenium monobromide is confirmed as one of the liquid with the highest refraction index(>2). However, diiodomethane is more easily accessible commercially.




      A promising candidate solvent is the organic liquid diiodomethane (CH2I2), which is one of the liquids with the highest
      known refractive index values (n = 1.74). While other high
      refractive index liquids exist (phenyldi-iodoarsine (C6H5AsI2)
      with n = 1.85 and selenium monobromide (Se2Br2) with n=
      2.1), diiodomethane has the key advantage of being commercially available. In addition, diiodomethane is an excellent
      solvent, and many liquid formulations using salts dissolved in
      diiodomethane are reported to increase the refractive index
      and are even available commercially.




      https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-55-12-3165






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$











      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
        $endgroup$
        – Mithoron
        11 hours ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
        $endgroup$
        – Davidmh
        11 hours ago










      • $begingroup$
        @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
        $endgroup$
        – blu potatos
        8 hours ago
















      27












      $begingroup$

      Definition of refractive index:



      $n=frac {c}{v}$



      If n>2 then this means that the velocity of light in the material is less than half than in vacuum so there must be a strong interaction with the material.




      One of the highest refractory index in liquids is 1.79(20°C) possessed by a solution of sulfur in methylene iodide($CH_2I_2$). Liquids are less dense than solids and this explains why it's difficult to have a refractory index greater than 2.
      I found a nature article that says:




      Selenium monobromide, Se2Br2, has a higher
      refractive index than that of any pure liquid hitherto
      recorded. Prepared by direct combination, the value
      for $nu$ is 1.96±0.01 rising to 2.02 on exposure to the
      atmosphere, owing to decomposition of the bromide,
      with separation and reabsorption of selenium.




      https://www.nature.com/articles/133066b0



      EDIT: From a more recent paper(2016), selenium monobromide is confirmed as one of the liquid with the highest refraction index(>2). However, diiodomethane is more easily accessible commercially.




      A promising candidate solvent is the organic liquid diiodomethane (CH2I2), which is one of the liquids with the highest
      known refractive index values (n = 1.74). While other high
      refractive index liquids exist (phenyldi-iodoarsine (C6H5AsI2)
      with n = 1.85 and selenium monobromide (Se2Br2) with n=
      2.1), diiodomethane has the key advantage of being commercially available. In addition, diiodomethane is an excellent
      solvent, and many liquid formulations using salts dissolved in
      diiodomethane are reported to increase the refractive index
      and are even available commercially.




      https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-55-12-3165






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$











      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
        $endgroup$
        – Mithoron
        11 hours ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
        $endgroup$
        – Davidmh
        11 hours ago










      • $begingroup$
        @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
        $endgroup$
        – blu potatos
        8 hours ago














      27












      27








      27





      $begingroup$

      Definition of refractive index:



      $n=frac {c}{v}$



      If n>2 then this means that the velocity of light in the material is less than half than in vacuum so there must be a strong interaction with the material.




      One of the highest refractory index in liquids is 1.79(20°C) possessed by a solution of sulfur in methylene iodide($CH_2I_2$). Liquids are less dense than solids and this explains why it's difficult to have a refractory index greater than 2.
      I found a nature article that says:




      Selenium monobromide, Se2Br2, has a higher
      refractive index than that of any pure liquid hitherto
      recorded. Prepared by direct combination, the value
      for $nu$ is 1.96±0.01 rising to 2.02 on exposure to the
      atmosphere, owing to decomposition of the bromide,
      with separation and reabsorption of selenium.




      https://www.nature.com/articles/133066b0



      EDIT: From a more recent paper(2016), selenium monobromide is confirmed as one of the liquid with the highest refraction index(>2). However, diiodomethane is more easily accessible commercially.




      A promising candidate solvent is the organic liquid diiodomethane (CH2I2), which is one of the liquids with the highest
      known refractive index values (n = 1.74). While other high
      refractive index liquids exist (phenyldi-iodoarsine (C6H5AsI2)
      with n = 1.85 and selenium monobromide (Se2Br2) with n=
      2.1), diiodomethane has the key advantage of being commercially available. In addition, diiodomethane is an excellent
      solvent, and many liquid formulations using salts dissolved in
      diiodomethane are reported to increase the refractive index
      and are even available commercially.




      https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-55-12-3165






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      Definition of refractive index:



      $n=frac {c}{v}$



      If n>2 then this means that the velocity of light in the material is less than half than in vacuum so there must be a strong interaction with the material.




      One of the highest refractory index in liquids is 1.79(20°C) possessed by a solution of sulfur in methylene iodide($CH_2I_2$). Liquids are less dense than solids and this explains why it's difficult to have a refractory index greater than 2.
      I found a nature article that says:




      Selenium monobromide, Se2Br2, has a higher
      refractive index than that of any pure liquid hitherto
      recorded. Prepared by direct combination, the value
      for $nu$ is 1.96±0.01 rising to 2.02 on exposure to the
      atmosphere, owing to decomposition of the bromide,
      with separation and reabsorption of selenium.




      https://www.nature.com/articles/133066b0



      EDIT: From a more recent paper(2016), selenium monobromide is confirmed as one of the liquid with the highest refraction index(>2). However, diiodomethane is more easily accessible commercially.




      A promising candidate solvent is the organic liquid diiodomethane (CH2I2), which is one of the liquids with the highest
      known refractive index values (n = 1.74). While other high
      refractive index liquids exist (phenyldi-iodoarsine (C6H5AsI2)
      with n = 1.85 and selenium monobromide (Se2Br2) with n=
      2.1), diiodomethane has the key advantage of being commercially available. In addition, diiodomethane is an excellent
      solvent, and many liquid formulations using salts dissolved in
      diiodomethane are reported to increase the refractive index
      and are even available commercially.




      https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-55-12-3165







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited 8 hours ago

























      answered 2 days ago









      blu potatosblu potatos

      8674 silver badges16 bronze badges




      8674 silver badges16 bronze badges











      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
        $endgroup$
        – Mithoron
        11 hours ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
        $endgroup$
        – Davidmh
        11 hours ago










      • $begingroup$
        @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
        $endgroup$
        – blu potatos
        8 hours ago














      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
        $endgroup$
        – Mithoron
        11 hours ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
        $endgroup$
        – Davidmh
        11 hours ago










      • $begingroup$
        @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
        $endgroup$
        – blu potatos
        8 hours ago








      1




      1




      $begingroup$
      Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
      $endgroup$
      – Mithoron
      11 hours ago




      $begingroup$
      Ah, and why you'd think sulfur in any solvent would be transparent?
      $endgroup$
      – Mithoron
      11 hours ago




      1




      1




      $begingroup$
      Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
      $endgroup$
      – Davidmh
      11 hours ago




      $begingroup$
      Important note, "hitherto recorded" refers to 1934, the year of the paper.
      $endgroup$
      – Davidmh
      11 hours ago












      $begingroup$
      @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
      $endgroup$
      – blu potatos
      8 hours ago




      $begingroup$
      @Mithoron it is sulphur in CH2I2 not in any solvent!
      $endgroup$
      – blu potatos
      8 hours ago













      15












      $begingroup$

      To complement @blu_potatos's answer, there are some other contenders having refractive index greater than 2





      1. Arsenic di/trisulfide and sulfur and/or selenium and/or mercuric sulfide in arsenic tribromide solvent having refractive index ranging from 2.0 to 2.07 (arsenic tribromide seem to attack the lead-glass prisms of refractometers, corroding metal, poisonous in nature and reactive toward some minerals)


      2. phosphorus and/or sulfur in carbon sulfide solvent having R.I= 2.01/2.07 (carbon disulfide is highly volatile, very flammable and poisonous.
        Solutions containing white phosphorus should be kept in the dark as
        light causes the conversion of the white phosphorus to the red form,
        which is more poisonous).


      3. Selenium and/or sulfur in phosphorus solvent having R.I =2.2-2.5 (Solutions of selenium in phosphorus cannot be stored for long under water as they decompose).


      4. Selenium in selenium monobromide solvent having R.I>2.02 (Selenium monobromide is unstable decomposing to selenium)


      5. A ternary system of phosphorus-sulfur-methylene iodide having R.I upto 2.06 has been observed


      begin{array}{c|c}
      mathbf{component} & mathbf{R.I} \hline
      text{P(solid) at 29°C } & text{2.15}\
      text{P(liq.) at 44°C } & text{2.10}\
      text{P-S-CH2I2 at 25°C } & text{2.06} \
      text{P-CH2I2(satd.) at 18°C} & text{1.94}\
      text{CH2I2 at 15°C } & text{1.74}end{array}



      There are loads of other liquids having R.I value in between 1.5-2.0 which are stable and can be used commercially. See references



      References





      1. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM40/AM40_398.pdf (1-4)


      2. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM21/AM21_245.pdf (5)

      3. https://www.osapublishing.org/DirectPDFAccess/71A8545D-AFC6-6350-82F044C815273272_338928/ao-55-12-3165.pdf?da=1&id=338928&seq=0&mobile=no






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$











      • 6




        $begingroup$
        Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        2 days ago








      • 4




        $begingroup$
        Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
        $endgroup$
        – davidbak
        2 days ago






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
        $endgroup$
        – Nilay Ghosh
        2 days ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        yesterday








      • 1




        $begingroup$
        @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
        $endgroup$
        – Persian_Gulf
        17 hours ago
















      15












      $begingroup$

      To complement @blu_potatos's answer, there are some other contenders having refractive index greater than 2





      1. Arsenic di/trisulfide and sulfur and/or selenium and/or mercuric sulfide in arsenic tribromide solvent having refractive index ranging from 2.0 to 2.07 (arsenic tribromide seem to attack the lead-glass prisms of refractometers, corroding metal, poisonous in nature and reactive toward some minerals)


      2. phosphorus and/or sulfur in carbon sulfide solvent having R.I= 2.01/2.07 (carbon disulfide is highly volatile, very flammable and poisonous.
        Solutions containing white phosphorus should be kept in the dark as
        light causes the conversion of the white phosphorus to the red form,
        which is more poisonous).


      3. Selenium and/or sulfur in phosphorus solvent having R.I =2.2-2.5 (Solutions of selenium in phosphorus cannot be stored for long under water as they decompose).


      4. Selenium in selenium monobromide solvent having R.I>2.02 (Selenium monobromide is unstable decomposing to selenium)


      5. A ternary system of phosphorus-sulfur-methylene iodide having R.I upto 2.06 has been observed


      begin{array}{c|c}
      mathbf{component} & mathbf{R.I} \hline
      text{P(solid) at 29°C } & text{2.15}\
      text{P(liq.) at 44°C } & text{2.10}\
      text{P-S-CH2I2 at 25°C } & text{2.06} \
      text{P-CH2I2(satd.) at 18°C} & text{1.94}\
      text{CH2I2 at 15°C } & text{1.74}end{array}



      There are loads of other liquids having R.I value in between 1.5-2.0 which are stable and can be used commercially. See references



      References





      1. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM40/AM40_398.pdf (1-4)


      2. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM21/AM21_245.pdf (5)

      3. https://www.osapublishing.org/DirectPDFAccess/71A8545D-AFC6-6350-82F044C815273272_338928/ao-55-12-3165.pdf?da=1&id=338928&seq=0&mobile=no






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$











      • 6




        $begingroup$
        Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        2 days ago








      • 4




        $begingroup$
        Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
        $endgroup$
        – davidbak
        2 days ago






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
        $endgroup$
        – Nilay Ghosh
        2 days ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        yesterday








      • 1




        $begingroup$
        @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
        $endgroup$
        – Persian_Gulf
        17 hours ago














      15












      15








      15





      $begingroup$

      To complement @blu_potatos's answer, there are some other contenders having refractive index greater than 2





      1. Arsenic di/trisulfide and sulfur and/or selenium and/or mercuric sulfide in arsenic tribromide solvent having refractive index ranging from 2.0 to 2.07 (arsenic tribromide seem to attack the lead-glass prisms of refractometers, corroding metal, poisonous in nature and reactive toward some minerals)


      2. phosphorus and/or sulfur in carbon sulfide solvent having R.I= 2.01/2.07 (carbon disulfide is highly volatile, very flammable and poisonous.
        Solutions containing white phosphorus should be kept in the dark as
        light causes the conversion of the white phosphorus to the red form,
        which is more poisonous).


      3. Selenium and/or sulfur in phosphorus solvent having R.I =2.2-2.5 (Solutions of selenium in phosphorus cannot be stored for long under water as they decompose).


      4. Selenium in selenium monobromide solvent having R.I>2.02 (Selenium monobromide is unstable decomposing to selenium)


      5. A ternary system of phosphorus-sulfur-methylene iodide having R.I upto 2.06 has been observed


      begin{array}{c|c}
      mathbf{component} & mathbf{R.I} \hline
      text{P(solid) at 29°C } & text{2.15}\
      text{P(liq.) at 44°C } & text{2.10}\
      text{P-S-CH2I2 at 25°C } & text{2.06} \
      text{P-CH2I2(satd.) at 18°C} & text{1.94}\
      text{CH2I2 at 15°C } & text{1.74}end{array}



      There are loads of other liquids having R.I value in between 1.5-2.0 which are stable and can be used commercially. See references



      References





      1. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM40/AM40_398.pdf (1-4)


      2. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM21/AM21_245.pdf (5)

      3. https://www.osapublishing.org/DirectPDFAccess/71A8545D-AFC6-6350-82F044C815273272_338928/ao-55-12-3165.pdf?da=1&id=338928&seq=0&mobile=no






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      To complement @blu_potatos's answer, there are some other contenders having refractive index greater than 2





      1. Arsenic di/trisulfide and sulfur and/or selenium and/or mercuric sulfide in arsenic tribromide solvent having refractive index ranging from 2.0 to 2.07 (arsenic tribromide seem to attack the lead-glass prisms of refractometers, corroding metal, poisonous in nature and reactive toward some minerals)


      2. phosphorus and/or sulfur in carbon sulfide solvent having R.I= 2.01/2.07 (carbon disulfide is highly volatile, very flammable and poisonous.
        Solutions containing white phosphorus should be kept in the dark as
        light causes the conversion of the white phosphorus to the red form,
        which is more poisonous).


      3. Selenium and/or sulfur in phosphorus solvent having R.I =2.2-2.5 (Solutions of selenium in phosphorus cannot be stored for long under water as they decompose).


      4. Selenium in selenium monobromide solvent having R.I>2.02 (Selenium monobromide is unstable decomposing to selenium)


      5. A ternary system of phosphorus-sulfur-methylene iodide having R.I upto 2.06 has been observed


      begin{array}{c|c}
      mathbf{component} & mathbf{R.I} \hline
      text{P(solid) at 29°C } & text{2.15}\
      text{P(liq.) at 44°C } & text{2.10}\
      text{P-S-CH2I2 at 25°C } & text{2.06} \
      text{P-CH2I2(satd.) at 18°C} & text{1.94}\
      text{CH2I2 at 15°C } & text{1.74}end{array}



      There are loads of other liquids having R.I value in between 1.5-2.0 which are stable and can be used commercially. See references



      References





      1. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM40/AM40_398.pdf (1-4)


      2. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM21/AM21_245.pdf (5)

      3. https://www.osapublishing.org/DirectPDFAccess/71A8545D-AFC6-6350-82F044C815273272_338928/ao-55-12-3165.pdf?da=1&id=338928&seq=0&mobile=no







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited yesterday

























      answered 2 days ago









      Nilay GhoshNilay Ghosh

      10.5k10 gold badges47 silver badges114 bronze badges




      10.5k10 gold badges47 silver badges114 bronze badges











      • 6




        $begingroup$
        Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        2 days ago








      • 4




        $begingroup$
        Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
        $endgroup$
        – davidbak
        2 days ago






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
        $endgroup$
        – Nilay Ghosh
        2 days ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        yesterday








      • 1




        $begingroup$
        @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
        $endgroup$
        – Persian_Gulf
        17 hours ago














      • 6




        $begingroup$
        Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        2 days ago








      • 4




        $begingroup$
        Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
        $endgroup$
        – davidbak
        2 days ago






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
        $endgroup$
        – Nilay Ghosh
        2 days ago






      • 1




        $begingroup$
        -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
        $endgroup$
        – uhoh
        yesterday








      • 1




        $begingroup$
        @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
        $endgroup$
        – Persian_Gulf
        17 hours ago








      6




      6




      $begingroup$
      Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      2 days ago






      $begingroup$
      Are you just listing the real part of a complex index of refraction of opaque liquids? Or is a solution of selenium in phosphorous somehow transparent at some wavelengths? (cf. Born & Wolf; Alkali metals transparent to UV? Cesium transparent to blue?)
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      2 days ago






      4




      4




      $begingroup$
      Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
      $endgroup$
      – davidbak
      2 days ago




      $begingroup$
      Hmmm, none of these seem especially attractive to use in a classroom demonstration ...
      $endgroup$
      – davidbak
      2 days ago




      2




      2




      $begingroup$
      @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
      $endgroup$
      – Nilay Ghosh
      2 days ago




      $begingroup$
      @davidbak yeah, I won't recommend using those chemicals. They are nasty.
      $endgroup$
      – Nilay Ghosh
      2 days ago




      1




      1




      $begingroup$
      -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      yesterday






      $begingroup$
      -1 Seriously, what does selenium dissolved in phosphorous actually look like? Are you sure it's not metallic and opaque, and you've simply dropped the imaginary part of the index of refraction? Which materials in your list can actually transmit light to any appreciable degree?
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      yesterday






      1




      1




      $begingroup$
      @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
      $endgroup$
      – Persian_Gulf
      17 hours ago




      $begingroup$
      @NilayGhosh which one of these chemicals are transparent, not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones)?
      $endgroup$
      – Persian_Gulf
      17 hours ago











      6












      $begingroup$

      Solutions of phosphorous in carbon disulfide are not only smelly and toxic, but they're hideously prone to catching fire. Methyene iodide is carcinogenic. Selenium and its compounds are toxic and notoriously evil-smelling.
      Because we're playing around in the periodic table's bad neighborhood, high RI liquids are uniformly, extremely unpleasant.



      The refractive index of liquid iodine is 1.934 at 114°C
      https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642818608239022
      This might be the best candidate for conducting experiments. Transparency in the visible range (above 450 nm) is very limited, but at least the stuff won't incinerate you, kill you, or induce your neighbors to kill you.






      share|improve this answer










      New contributor



      James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





      $endgroup$




















        6












        $begingroup$

        Solutions of phosphorous in carbon disulfide are not only smelly and toxic, but they're hideously prone to catching fire. Methyene iodide is carcinogenic. Selenium and its compounds are toxic and notoriously evil-smelling.
        Because we're playing around in the periodic table's bad neighborhood, high RI liquids are uniformly, extremely unpleasant.



        The refractive index of liquid iodine is 1.934 at 114°C
        https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642818608239022
        This might be the best candidate for conducting experiments. Transparency in the visible range (above 450 nm) is very limited, but at least the stuff won't incinerate you, kill you, or induce your neighbors to kill you.






        share|improve this answer










        New contributor



        James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        $endgroup$


















          6












          6








          6





          $begingroup$

          Solutions of phosphorous in carbon disulfide are not only smelly and toxic, but they're hideously prone to catching fire. Methyene iodide is carcinogenic. Selenium and its compounds are toxic and notoriously evil-smelling.
          Because we're playing around in the periodic table's bad neighborhood, high RI liquids are uniformly, extremely unpleasant.



          The refractive index of liquid iodine is 1.934 at 114°C
          https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642818608239022
          This might be the best candidate for conducting experiments. Transparency in the visible range (above 450 nm) is very limited, but at least the stuff won't incinerate you, kill you, or induce your neighbors to kill you.






          share|improve this answer










          New contributor



          James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.





          $endgroup$



          Solutions of phosphorous in carbon disulfide are not only smelly and toxic, but they're hideously prone to catching fire. Methyene iodide is carcinogenic. Selenium and its compounds are toxic and notoriously evil-smelling.
          Because we're playing around in the periodic table's bad neighborhood, high RI liquids are uniformly, extremely unpleasant.



          The refractive index of liquid iodine is 1.934 at 114°C
          https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642818608239022
          This might be the best candidate for conducting experiments. Transparency in the visible range (above 450 nm) is very limited, but at least the stuff won't incinerate you, kill you, or induce your neighbors to kill you.







          share|improve this answer










          New contributor



          James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.








          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited yesterday





















          New contributor



          James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.








          answered yesterday









          James DemersJames Demers

          612 bronze badges




          612 bronze badges




          New contributor



          James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.




          New contributor




          James Demers is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.




























              4












              $begingroup$

              Based on the OP’s two questions and the OP’s several comments, the OP wants to know if there is a commercially available liquid which, at 23°C, is transparent in the range 380 to 700 nm. As the OP stated in a comment, the liquid should be “not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones).”



              In gemological testing of the refractive indices of gemstones, the upper limit of refractive index is 1.81, if a contact liquid is used in a conventional gemological refractometer. See, for example, https://www.gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81/ . As noted in this substantive article, at http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer , the two high refractive index contact liquids are




              1. a saturated solution of sulfur in di-iodomethane (n = 1.79) and

              2. a saturated solution of sulfur, di-iodomethane and tetraiodoethylene (n = 1.81).


              Not the most pleasant solutions, but much better than the exotic and far more toxic possibilities that “are so toxic that they are only used in specially equipped laboratories”. (Quote from http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer).



              So the answers to the OP's two questions are "no" and "does not apply", respectively.






              share|improve this answer











              $endgroup$




















                4












                $begingroup$

                Based on the OP’s two questions and the OP’s several comments, the OP wants to know if there is a commercially available liquid which, at 23°C, is transparent in the range 380 to 700 nm. As the OP stated in a comment, the liquid should be “not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones).”



                In gemological testing of the refractive indices of gemstones, the upper limit of refractive index is 1.81, if a contact liquid is used in a conventional gemological refractometer. See, for example, https://www.gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81/ . As noted in this substantive article, at http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer , the two high refractive index contact liquids are




                1. a saturated solution of sulfur in di-iodomethane (n = 1.79) and

                2. a saturated solution of sulfur, di-iodomethane and tetraiodoethylene (n = 1.81).


                Not the most pleasant solutions, but much better than the exotic and far more toxic possibilities that “are so toxic that they are only used in specially equipped laboratories”. (Quote from http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer).



                So the answers to the OP's two questions are "no" and "does not apply", respectively.






                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$


















                  4












                  4








                  4





                  $begingroup$

                  Based on the OP’s two questions and the OP’s several comments, the OP wants to know if there is a commercially available liquid which, at 23°C, is transparent in the range 380 to 700 nm. As the OP stated in a comment, the liquid should be “not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones).”



                  In gemological testing of the refractive indices of gemstones, the upper limit of refractive index is 1.81, if a contact liquid is used in a conventional gemological refractometer. See, for example, https://www.gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81/ . As noted in this substantive article, at http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer , the two high refractive index contact liquids are




                  1. a saturated solution of sulfur in di-iodomethane (n = 1.79) and

                  2. a saturated solution of sulfur, di-iodomethane and tetraiodoethylene (n = 1.81).


                  Not the most pleasant solutions, but much better than the exotic and far more toxic possibilities that “are so toxic that they are only used in specially equipped laboratories”. (Quote from http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer).



                  So the answers to the OP's two questions are "no" and "does not apply", respectively.






                  share|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$



                  Based on the OP’s two questions and the OP’s several comments, the OP wants to know if there is a commercially available liquid which, at 23°C, is transparent in the range 380 to 700 nm. As the OP stated in a comment, the liquid should be “not poisonous and can be used as gap fillers in refractometers (gap between prism and stones).”



                  In gemological testing of the refractive indices of gemstones, the upper limit of refractive index is 1.81, if a contact liquid is used in a conventional gemological refractometer. See, for example, https://www.gemsociety.org/article/measuring-gemstone-ri-1-81/ . As noted in this substantive article, at http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer , the two high refractive index contact liquids are




                  1. a saturated solution of sulfur in di-iodomethane (n = 1.79) and

                  2. a saturated solution of sulfur, di-iodomethane and tetraiodoethylene (n = 1.81).


                  Not the most pleasant solutions, but much better than the exotic and far more toxic possibilities that “are so toxic that they are only used in specially equipped laboratories”. (Quote from http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Refractometer).



                  So the answers to the OP's two questions are "no" and "does not apply", respectively.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 8 hours ago

























                  answered 8 hours ago









                  Ed VEd V

                  9781 silver badge14 bronze badges




                  9781 silver badge14 bronze badges


























                      -4












                      $begingroup$

                      Sucrose or glucose in H2O = approx 1.4-1.5 depending on composition and concentration



                      Glycerol = 1.473
                      Toluene = 1.5
                      Chlorobenzene = 1.524



                      Getting higher than that without very high flammability/toxicity/reactivity is hard






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor



                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      $endgroup$











                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
                        $endgroup$
                        – DrMoishe Pippik
                        yesterday






                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mark
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mithoron
                        11 hours ago
















                      -4












                      $begingroup$

                      Sucrose or glucose in H2O = approx 1.4-1.5 depending on composition and concentration



                      Glycerol = 1.473
                      Toluene = 1.5
                      Chlorobenzene = 1.524



                      Getting higher than that without very high flammability/toxicity/reactivity is hard






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor



                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      $endgroup$











                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
                        $endgroup$
                        – DrMoishe Pippik
                        yesterday






                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mark
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mithoron
                        11 hours ago














                      -4












                      -4








                      -4





                      $begingroup$

                      Sucrose or glucose in H2O = approx 1.4-1.5 depending on composition and concentration



                      Glycerol = 1.473
                      Toluene = 1.5
                      Chlorobenzene = 1.524



                      Getting higher than that without very high flammability/toxicity/reactivity is hard






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor



                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      $endgroup$



                      Sucrose or glucose in H2O = approx 1.4-1.5 depending on composition and concentration



                      Glycerol = 1.473
                      Toluene = 1.5
                      Chlorobenzene = 1.524



                      Getting higher than that without very high flammability/toxicity/reactivity is hard







                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor



                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.








                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer






                      New contributor



                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.








                      answered yesterday









                      LukeLuke

                      11




                      11




                      New contributor



                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.




                      New contributor




                      Luke is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.













                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
                        $endgroup$
                        – DrMoishe Pippik
                        yesterday






                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mark
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mithoron
                        11 hours ago














                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
                        $endgroup$
                        – DrMoishe Pippik
                        yesterday






                      • 3




                        $begingroup$
                        If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mark
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Mithoron
                        11 hours ago








                      3




                      3




                      $begingroup$
                      See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
                      $endgroup$
                      – DrMoishe Pippik
                      yesterday




                      $begingroup$
                      See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices for some approaching 2
                      $endgroup$
                      – DrMoishe Pippik
                      yesterday




                      3




                      3




                      $begingroup$
                      If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Mark
                      yesterday




                      $begingroup$
                      If someone's looking for a refractive index greater than 2, a list of substances with refractive indices around 1.5 isn't very useful.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Mark
                      yesterday




                      1




                      1




                      $begingroup$
                      @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Mithoron
                      11 hours ago




                      $begingroup$
                      @Mark I have a feeling that answer telling no, it's a bad idea, even indirectly, is only appropriate here. Much better then then listing hideous and mostly opaque things, just because they're on some list.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Mithoron
                      11 hours ago


















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