Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Search the forums Search   Frequently Asked Questions FAQ   View member list Member List   Today's Posts Today's Posts   Forum Stats Stats Back to: sciencemadness.org
Sciencemadness Discussion Board » Fundamentals » Organic Chemistry » Cleaning glycerol Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Cleaning glycerol
sumatra
Harmless
*



Posts: 25
Registered: 15-8-2018
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 22-10-2018 at 07:30
Cleaning glycerol

So I made some glycerol ftom cooking oil (followed Nile Red's video on Youtube) however I somehow messed up the activated charcoal step. I used a lot and the glycerol-,methanol solution looked clear. I started boiling it down but at some point the solution became brown (sunflower oil pigments) and started smoking. Now I'm pretty much left with thick glycerol (almost no methanol) with a dark brown, almost black colour. Filtering doesn't work. Activated charcoal too. Suggestions?

[Edited on 22-10-2018 by sumatra]
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Jackson
Hazard to Others
***



Posts: 189
Registered: 22-5-2018
Location: U S of A
Member Is Offline

Mood: :) Happy about new glassware :)

[*] posted on 22-10-2018 at 07:40


Maybe you could try washing it with some organic solvent that is immiscible?
View user's profile View All Posts By User
sumatra
Harmless
*



Posts: 25
Registered: 15-8-2018
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 22-10-2018 at 07:50


Quote: Originally posted by Jackson  
Maybe you could try washing it with some organic solvent that is immiscible?

I was actually thinking about chloroform, but I'm not sure and I wouldn't want to waste it.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
BaFuxa
Hazard to Self
**



Posts: 61
Registered: 18-9-2017
Location: Mars
Member Is Offline

Mood: Buzzing

[*] posted on 22-10-2018 at 09:22


Looks like you have some oxidized fatty acids in your glycerol. Unsaturated fatty acids oxidize easily.










[Edited on 22-10-2018 by BaFuxa]

[Edited on 22-10-2018 by BaFuxa]



Potential counts for nothing until realized.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
sumatra
Harmless
*



Posts: 25
Registered: 15-8-2018
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 23-10-2018 at 08:27


Update:
I added chloroform to the glycerol and as expected it sank to the bottom, however it did not clean the glycerol at all, I added some water to reduce the solubility of whatever the colour is coming from, but it didn't seem to work either. Sadly I do not have a vacuum pump to perform a vacuum distilation and I'm not planning on buying one soon. Next thing I'll try is adding a lot of water followed by a lot of activated charcoal.
Any other suggestions?
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Jackson
Hazard to Others
***



Posts: 189
Registered: 22-5-2018
Location: U S of A
Member Is Offline

Mood: :) Happy about new glassware :)

[*] posted on 23-10-2018 at 10:59


Maybe add a lot of chloroform and let it sit for awhile?
View user's profile View All Posts By User

 Sciencemadness Discussion Board » Fundamentals » Organic Chemistry » Cleaning glycerol   Go To Top