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Author: Subject: Acquisition of basic chemicals
mangoman667
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[*] posted on 17-10-2014 at 18:32


Hmm... very odd... After I added the boiling water to the powder, it dissolved but left the solution cloudy again. But it's not a normal kind of cloudy--it's clear if you look through the top of the solution, but cloudy when you look through the side. :o Is this just due to the high concentration, or am I doing something wrong?

EDIT: I also found a test tube of a "mystery compound" I made quite a while ago while digging around my primitive lab stuff. :o I remember dissolving aluminum foil in hydrochloric acid to produce a grey solution, and then boiling the solution until it dried to a white powder. The resulting powder is insoluble in water, and quite obviously an aluminum compound. My best guess is that it's an oxide. Am I correct in this assumption?

[Edited on 10-18-2014 by mangoman667]
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Amos
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[*] posted on 18-10-2014 at 18:20


Not sure what to tell you with the sodium nitrate. But we've kind of strayed too far from the original topic. Feel free to U2U me with more on this or any other kind of beginning questions that don't really require a thread all their own.



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mangoman667
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[*] posted on 18-10-2014 at 20:07


Thanks, I've sent you a U2U and looking forward to your reply. :) However, will this thread still be active if I have any additional acquisition questions, or must it be closed for going off topic?
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Amos
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[*] posted on 18-10-2014 at 20:18


Nah, it won't be closed. If you've got a general question about a reaction or where to get something, use the search engine; thousands of us have been here before you, and it's almost certain that somebody else has asked it. For more specific niche things, use the search engine first, still, but if that turns up nothing then come back here and post.



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[*] posted on 20-10-2014 at 17:17


I thought that there was a very elaborate sticky on this very topic....
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=3254

[Edited on 21-10-2014 by zenosx]




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mangoman667
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[*] posted on 20-10-2014 at 20:05


Quote: Originally posted by zenosx  
I thought that there was a very elaborate sticky on this very topic....
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=3254

[Edited on 21-10-2014 by zenosx]


I've already discussed that earlier in the thread. While the list is an excellent reference, it only works if I know exactly what I'm looking for or have an experiment at hand that is calling for something specific. As of now, I'm focused on stocking my lab with basic chemicals that are commonly used. I called upon the community to let me know what they've found to be most useful, instead of asking for a straight list of chemicals because I know they have years of expertise and the ability to offer timeless tips and tricks compared to a wall of text. Thanks anyways for the reference, its just my two cents on why I opened the thread in the first place. :)
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Keith Fletcher
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smile.gif posted on 27-8-2015 at 08:51
H2O2 One liter 20$


1 liter of H2O2 ON eBay is 20$.

Link to buy: http://m.ebay.com/itm/231641411523?_mwBanner=1




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gdflp
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[*] posted on 27-8-2015 at 10:50


Look at pool stores for cheaper sources of H2O2. A local pool store, "Leslie's Pool Supplies" sells 30% H2O2 by the gallon for $17 as a non-chlorine shock.



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[*] posted on 27-8-2015 at 10:52


Quote: Originally posted by gdflp  
Look at pool stores for cheaper sources of H2O2. A local pool store, "Leslie's Pool Supplies" sells 30% H2O2 by the gallon for $17 as a non-chlorine shock.
I didn't see that there last time I went, but I'll have to go back and look harder I guess.



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careysub
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[*] posted on 28-8-2015 at 06:32


Quote: Originally posted by zts16  
Quote: Originally posted by gdflp  
Look at pool stores for cheaper sources of H2O2. A local pool store, "Leslie's Pool Supplies" sells 30% H2O2 by the gallon for $17 as a non-chlorine shock.
I didn't see that there last time I went, but I'll have to go back and look harder I guess.


Look for (and look at) the spa section - the peroxide is sold for spas, not pools.

Also look around for "spa stores" which may carry it.
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Corrosive Joeseph
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[*] posted on 29-8-2015 at 05:50


It's also used in hydroponics. 'Grotek Super Oxy' is 36% H2O2

And as for the aquisition of basic chemicals l've always found this page interesting................

http://makezine.com/setting-up-a-home-science-lab3/

[Edited on 29-8-2015 by Corrosive Joeseph]




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CharlieA
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[*] posted on 29-8-2015 at 17:55


Cj, thank you.
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[*] posted on 29-8-2015 at 21:24


gdflp and careysub, I just looked at Leslie's web site, and the non-chlorine shock they advertise is called "Fresh and Clear". They don't say what's in it. Is that the H2O2? There are several Leslie's near where I live. Also looked under chemicals for the spa, didn't see anything that looked like H2O2. Thanks....



Any other SF Bay chemists?
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careysub
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[*] posted on 29-8-2015 at 21:50


Quote: Originally posted by annaandherdad  
gdflp and careysub, I just looked at Leslie's web site, and the non-chlorine shock they advertise is called "Fresh and Clear". They don't say what's in it. Is that the H2O2? There are several Leslie's near where I live. Also looked under chemicals for the spa, didn't see anything that looked like H2O2. Thanks....


The "Fresh N Clear" product is potassium peroxymonosulfate ("potassium monopersulfate" on the label).

I have not seen H2O2 at Leslie's at any recent time. I have picked up 35% H2O2 at different spa stores though. Go to a spa dealer, or a place that specializes in spa supplies.

Baquacil is a prominent name brand H2O2-based product line (there are different Baquacil products, you need the oxidizer). Baquacil is featured by some spa stores.

I also have Revatop 36 Shock Oxidizer, which is H2O2, that I picked up at an independent spa dealer.



[Edited on 30-8-2015 by careysub]

[Edited on 30-8-2015 by careysub]
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[*] posted on 1-9-2015 at 12:46


Thanks very much. Cheap H2O2 would help me right now.



Any other SF Bay chemists?
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[*] posted on 1-9-2015 at 12:52


I had noticed as well that they have stopped advertising the product on their website. Perhaps they've discontinued it, I'm not sure, but I have seen it in one of their stores within the past month so some store still carry it. Although I suppose MEK Substitute has been discontinued for over a year and my local Ace still has 40 in stock, but that may just be due to the lack of popularity of that particular substitution.



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[*] posted on 2-9-2015 at 01:55


Look for this product at your local pool supply.

http://www.spaandpoolstore.com/4-qty-baquacil-cdx-1-2-gallon...
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[*] posted on 2-9-2015 at 07:03


My favorite place is ACE Hardware. I have found the following 46 chemicals at ACE in the last year (Michigan):

Potassium nitrate (stump remover)
Sodium metabisulfite (Bonide brand stump remover)
Sodium bisulfate (Pool pH down)
Sodium carbonate (Pool pH up)
Dichloromethane (Paint stripper, needs to be distilled from polymer)
Phosphoric acid (Deck cleaner, rust remover)
Sodium chloride (Salt for ice melting)
Potassium chloride (Water softener salt)
Calcium chloride, anhydrous (Driveway de-icer, damp-rid chemical dehumidifier)
Magnesium chloride (pet-safe driveway de-icer)
Trisodium phosphate (painting surface prep)
Urea (The bag of 46-00-00 fertilizer is straight urea)
CaSO4·½H2O (Plaster of paris)
MgSO4·7H2O (Epsom salt)
Sodium bromide (Spa brominator)
Sulfamic acid (Sulfamic acid tile haze cleaner)
Oxalic acid (Wood deck cleaning crystals, read label first)
HCl (Driveway stain remover/etchant)
Copper sulfate (Root killer for drains)
H2SO4 (Drain opener)
Acetone (Painting solvent)
Methanol (HEET gas line de-icer)
Ethanol (Denatured alcohol, look for Klean-Strip "green" stuff, ~90% with 10% MeOH)
Isopropanol (iso-HEET)
Methyl ethyl ketone (painting solvent)
Toluene (painting solvent)
Xylenes (painting solvent)
p-dichlorobenzene (moth balls)
Ammonia solution, 10% (janitor's ammonia)
Calcium hypochlorite (pool shock, useful chlorine generator)
Trichloroisocyanuric acid (pool chlorinator, same use as above)
Cyanuric acid (pool stabilizer, useful for routes to guanidine and cyanates)
NaOH (drain opener, 100%)
Sulfuric acid (drain opener, Rooto. ~93%)
Ethylene glycol (undiluted auto antifreeze, needs distilling to remove dye)
Propylene glycol (food safe RV water line antifreeze. Needs distilling)
Aliphatic medium-boiling hydrocarbons (Ronsinol lighter fluid, Coleman camp fuel, mineral spirits, laquer thinner, VM&P naphtha - select the required boiling range)
Copper metal (wire, tubing)
Zinc metal (anti-moss strips for roofs)
Magnesium metal (firestarter for camping, also contains ferrocerium rod!)
Sodium hypochlorite solution (liquid bleach)
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda for cleaning)
Distilled water (The most used solvent in the lab - probably cheaper at the grocery store)
Dilute acetic acid (Vinegar)
Ethyl acetate (Sold as "MEK Substitute")

I am sure there are a few I have missed. There is also all the stuff with non-chemical usefulness like sand for sand baths and cat litter to help with lab spills, plus buckets and other containers, disposable stirring implements, safety goggles, face shields, gloves, and other PPE... ACE is a lab supply in disguise.

With a few of these things and the right glassware, it is possible to manufacture many other compounds.




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careysub
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[*] posted on 2-9-2015 at 09:48


Quote: Originally posted by Praxichys  
My favorite place is ACE Hardware. I have found the following 46 chemicals at ACE in the last year (Michigan):

Potassium nitrate (stump remover)
Sodium metabisulfite (Bonide brand stump remover)
Sodium bisulfate (Pool pH down)
Sodium carbonate (Pool pH up)
Dichloromethane (Paint stripper, needs to be distilled from polymer)
Phosphoric acid (Deck cleaner, rust remover)
Sodium chloride (Salt for ice melting)
Potassium chloride (Water softener salt)
Calcium chloride, anhydrous (Driveway de-icer, damp-rid chemical dehumidifier)
Magnesium chloride (pet-safe driveway de-icer)
Trisodium phosphate (painting surface prep)
Urea (The bag of 46-00-00 fertilizer is straight urea)
CaSO4·½H2O (Plaster of paris)
MgSO4·7H2O (Epsom salt)
Sodium bromide (Spa brominator)
Sulfamic acid (Sulfamic acid tile haze cleaner)
Oxalic acid (Wood deck cleaning crystals, read label first)
HCl (Driveway stain remover/etchant)
Copper sulfate (Root killer for drains)
H2SO4 (Drain opener)
Acetone (Painting solvent)
Methanol (HEET gas line de-icer)
Ethanol (Denatured alcohol, look for Klean-Strip "green" stuff, ~90% with 10% MeOH)
Isopropanol (iso-HEET)
Methyl ethyl ketone (painting solvent)
Toluene (painting solvent)
Xylenes (painting solvent)
p-dichlorobenzene (moth balls)
Ammonia solution, 10% (janitor's ammonia)
Calcium hypochlorite (pool shock, useful chlorine generator)
Trichloroisocyanuric acid (pool chlorinator, same use as above)
Cyanuric acid (pool stabilizer, useful for routes to guanidine and cyanates)
NaOH (drain opener, 100%)
Sulfuric acid (drain opener, Rooto. ~93%)
Ethylene glycol (undiluted auto antifreeze, needs distilling to remove dye)
Propylene glycol (food safe RV water line antifreeze. Needs distilling)
Aliphatic medium-boiling hydrocarbons (Ronsinol lighter fluid, Coleman camp fuel, mineral spirits, laquer thinner, VM&P naphtha - select the required boiling range)
Copper metal (wire, tubing)
Zinc metal (anti-moss strips for roofs)
Magnesium metal (firestarter for camping, also contains ferrocerium rod!)
Sodium hypochlorite solution (liquid bleach)
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda for cleaning)
Distilled water (The most used solvent in the lab - probably cheaper at the grocery store)
Dilute acetic acid (Vinegar)
Ethyl acetate (Sold as "MEK Substitute")

I am sure there are a few I have missed. There is also all the stuff with non-chemical usefulness like sand for sand baths and cat litter to help with lab spills, plus buckets and other containers, disposable stirring implements, safety goggles, face shields, gloves, and other PPE... ACE is a lab supply in disguise.

With a few of these things and the right glassware, it is possible to manufacture many other compounds.


Some of theses a regionally dependent I think, I have spotted most of these at Ace, but many not (but I will take this list to the store this weekend).

In Florida (but not California) you can also find at Ace:
Paraformaldehyde (anti-mildew)

Also in Florida (but not California) are these solvents:
Toluene
Xylene
MEK

I think both places have:
Kleenstrip SLX, which is about 50/50 methanol and ethanol with ~1% MIBK. Fractionally distilling with CaCl2 gives good amounts of both ethanol and methanol.

[Edited on 2-9-2015 by careysub]
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[*] posted on 2-9-2015 at 10:11


you could add a UK supplier for solvents, acids etc. that I have used;
www.darrantchemicals.co.uk
quick and cheap.
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[*] posted on 3-9-2015 at 09:19


careysub---I found a hydroponics store that sells Nutrilife 29% H2O2 for about $20/gal. Also, Baquicil can be ordered on line for $83/ 4 gallons, including all hazmat shipping. This is supposed to be 27% H2O2. Thanks for your help!



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careysub
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[*] posted on 5-9-2015 at 22:08


Quote: Originally posted by Praxichys  
My favorite place is ACE Hardware. I have found the following 46 chemicals at ACE in the last year (Michigan):

yadda
yadda
yadda
(not an actual quote)


I don't see camphor on your list. That's a popular insect repellant. Maybe they have that as well?

[Edited on 6-9-2015 by careysub]
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