Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Tetralin

JJay - 16-8-2018 at 21:54

Where is everyone getting tetralin these days? I think dwsurman was carrying it, but it looks like CCS is temporarily closed, and I'm not seeing it listed by any other specialty solvent suppliers....

MrHomeScientist - 17-8-2018 at 05:58

I got lucky and found some on eBay. One thing I didn't know is that tetralin smells pretty bad, and that smell readily leaks out of containers. I ruined my chemical fridge by storing it in there; the smell saturated the inside and leaving it open and outside for weeks did nothing to remove it. I've currently got it in a foam cooler that at least keeps the smell inside, but I really should transfer it to a media bottle with a better closure.

Loptr - 17-8-2018 at 09:38

There is some on Amazon right now being sold by HiMedia, but its expensive for only 500mL.

I would be interested in tetralin as well.

[Edited on 17-8-2018 by Loptr]

JJay - 20-8-2018 at 17:59

It seems likely that high-grade mineral oil would work as a substitute for most purposes, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for a decent deal on tetralin and will report back if I find anything.

Loptr - 20-8-2018 at 21:09

Quote: Originally posted by JJay  
It seems likely that high-grade mineral oil would work as a substitute for most purposes, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for a decent deal on tetralin and will report back if I find anything.


Are we talking about for its high-boiling point? Tetralin can also be used as a donor in CTH reactions.

What is in mineral oil? I know alkanes of various molecular weights, but any more details?

JJay - 20-8-2018 at 21:31

NurdRage did a video a while back where he discussed using mineral oil instead of tetralin for making sodium. Hypoallergenic baby oil is free of aromatics, so that is what he used. No one that I know of has tried using hypoallergenic baby oil to make potassium, but I am guessing that it would probably work fine.

I don't think mineral oil would work well as a CTH catalyst, but it does depend on what is in it....

[Edited on 21-8-2018 by JJay]

Loptr - 21-8-2018 at 06:44

Quote: Originally posted by JJay  
NurdRage did a video a while back where he discussed using mineral oil instead of tetralin for making sodium. Hypoallergenic baby oil is free of aromatics, so that is what he used. No one that I know of has tried using hypoallergenic baby oil to make potassium, but I am guessing that it would probably work fine.

I don't think mineral oil would work well as a CTH catalyst, but it does depend on what is in it....

[Edited on 21-8-2018 by JJay]


I doubt it could under reasonable conditions. Just about anything organic could be a donor given the right condition, but they would likely be extreme. I was just wondering what you where thinking it could be substituted for.

JJay - 21-8-2018 at 12:57

It's used as a solvent for decarboxylations. I suspect mineral oil would work also.