In a month or so, we will be using fuming nitric acid for the first time. We will nitrate a derivative of thiophene on a small scale (50-100 mg?) based on a similar reaction in the literature. If it goes well, we will scale the reaction up to 250-500 mg. We will use oven-dried glassware and a nitrogen atmosphere.
(1) Is there anything special in handling this reagent?
(2) After we open the reagent container, how should we store it? I was thinking of using a small desiccator with some calcium sulfate (Drierite), to minimize its picking up water.