Cou
National Hazard
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Registered: 16-5-2013
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Do I need a permit to make diethyl ether from ethanol?
Diethyl ether is expensive and I need a lot of it for a product I am soon going to start making and selling on ebay. I would like to make my own by
dehydration of everclear, but since you need a permit to distill ethanol and this process involves simple distillation, do I have to worry about a
permit? I mean you're not distilling out ethanol, just diethyl ether.
Could also use denatured ethanol, but I'm worried about toxic methanol ending up in the final product which the ether is used for, since it will be
sold.
[Edited on 17-9-2015 by Cou]
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Detonationology
Hazard to Others
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It is not illegal to distill ethanol, nor is it to distill any other substance that isn't an illicit. Ethanol is perfectly legal to produce for
personal consumption or as a solvent; it only becomes illegal when it is transported or sold without the proper permits. I would also do some
research on ebay's shipping policies are on hazardous/flammable substances. I must ask, Everclear is quite expensive. Have you preformed this
experiment before, if so, what was your yield?
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macckone
International Hazard
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I won't say wrong because where you live that may be true.
In most places outside of New Zealand that is not even close to true.
In the US you can make beer or wine but it is technically illegal to distill
Alcohol or even vinegar. Manufacture of a list 2 chemical in the US is likely
To land you in court if you get caught even thought it may be technically
Legal. 21 Usc 841 (f)2 is vague enough to cover manufacture of listed
chemicals for personal use. But you can probably argue that as an individual
You are not required to report your manufacture and a jury might buy that.
I am not a lawyer but I believe redistillation of a distilled beverage that is tax
Paid is probably legal for lab use and making ether is not distilling alcohol
As technically it is reflux. I also think making ether is legal under federal law
Provided you aren't breaking any drug laws. But if you are concerned about
Legal ramifications then consult an actual lawyer. We are mostly arm chair
kibitzers. None of this reflects anything outside of the us except that distilling
Alcohol is mostly illegal almost everywhere. Govts want their taxes.
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MrHomeScientist
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Ethanol is a feedstock in your chemical procedure. You are not distilling ethanol for consumption. It would be ridiculous for anyone to claim you're
breaking liquor laws for this. (although with that story about the kid getting arrested for his clock, you never know). You won't get cancer from
diethyl ether either, although it is frighteningly flammable. I believe storage over a hydroxide is recommended to reduce peroxide formation risk.
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer.
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macckone
International Hazard
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Ethyl Ether is usually inhibited with oxygen scavengers.
steel or copper wire is probably a better inhibitor.
BHT is popular with suppliers.
http://ccc.chem.pitt.edu/wipf/Web/16340.pdf
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