[glowstickman]

Hi guys,
I'm new and put this in the High School section because its is probably a very basic question.
I need to make a 50wt% of Lye, or NaOH  and what i have is "ROOTO Household 100% LYE drain cleaner" I only need 25 mLs, but have been warned that it can get very hot. The question is: what is the safest way to make this?

It's for a glow stick:

Glow stick formula

1. 50 grams of sugar
2. 25 mls of 50wt% NaOH
3. 5 mls of Isopropyl Alcohol

Slowly stir sugar into NaOH,  Green color will develop with no glowing characteristics,
Add IPA only when you want the mixture to glow. 

Thanks!

[Mitch]

Just make the solution in an ice bath, then you won't have to worry about the heat evolved as much.

[glowstickman]

Thanks! Well, i regret to say that it didn't work at least the first 2 times i tried it. Maybe with imagination there was a bit of light. Anyone just see that it dosen't work? I did only have 70% Isoproply at hand.

[Mitch]

I don't know why it would work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glowstick#Chemistry