What is the first step recommended for creating reagent grade water?

The first step recommended for creating reagent grade water is to use distilled water. Distilled water has undergone a purification process that removes impurities and contaminants through the process of boiling and condensation. This process effectively eliminates minerals, bacteria, and other substances that could interfere with sensitive laboratory analyses and applications.

Utilizing distilled water is an essential step because it serves as a clean and controlled base from which further purification processes, such as reverse osmosis or deionization, can be performed. This foundational quality ensures that the resulting reagents are of high purity, which is necessary for accurate and reliable results in analytical chemistry.

In contrast, using tap water or other natural sources like spring or well water may introduce unwanted impurities, such as chlorine, minerals, or microorganisms, that could compromise the purity required for reagent grade water. Therefore, starting with distilled water provides a necessary level of assurance that the water being used will support the integrity of the analytical procedures that follow.