[ToyMachine]

I'm trying to obtain some nitromethane for another part in this experiment of mine
I'm pretty sure they use nitromethane in like those model airplane fuels, right?  But I think they mix it with methanol in there, which I don't want.  I heard from a not-so-reliable source that boiling this stuff for about 20-30 seconds will evaporate the methanol.  Is this true?
Also, is it safe for me to do this?  I'm talking just boil the stuff on my stove, not in like a lab or anything.

[mike]

This is not safe for you to do at all, especially on your stove at home.

May I ask what you need the nitromethane for?

[limpet chicken]

You can't say that in the public forum!

Mitch

[P-man]

Well nitromethane is rather on the dangerous side when it comes to isolating it. However, you could contact your school and see if your teacher will help you. I do have quite an insane teacher, so I guess it depends on who you're asking.

[lemonoman]

This may or may not be helpful, but there are several articles about preparing nitromethane.  It's important to note that most of these methods are pretty risky...and definitely aren't cut out for making at home.  That being said, here we have:

(Free)
"Electrophilic nitration of alkanes with nitronium hexafluorophosphate"
http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=23573

(Need to purchase Industrial and Engineering Chemistry)
Nitration of Methane
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/archive.cgi/iechad/1942/34/i03/pdf/ie50387a010.pdf

Even if they don't prove useful...they're a good read

[constant thinker]

Your best off looking somewhere to buy it. Nitric acid is monitored pretty closely by a lot of governments. You should find out what the red flag limit is in your country (or state if your in the U.S.). I wouldn't recommend doing this at all. It's dangerous especially if you not experienced.

What expirement are you trying to do?

[billnotgatez]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitromethane

From the above link

Nitromethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3NO2. It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent. As an intermediate in organic synthesis, it is used widely in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, explosives, fibers, and coatings. It also finds use as a racing fuel.
[end quote]

[beheada]

Nitromethane can be found in model rocket fuel, normally labeled with anywhere from 15-40% nitro content. The nitro content is the actual nitromethane in the fuel. The nitromethane and methanol in the mixture form an azeotrope though.

If you are willing to live dangerously, you may distill this. I'd say do it outside or with a fume hood with a stir bar rockin' because... it's called nitro for a reason. But 20-30 seconds won't do it. You have to wait for the temperature to spike up to approximately 101 C, that means you're collecting the nitro and not the azeotrope. (Don't forget to switch receiving flasks, either)

Hope that helps.

[woelen]

If methanol and nitromethane form an azeotrope, then you'll never obtain the pure nitromethane. An azeotrope behaves as a single compound, which boils at a certain temperature, which is above both boiling points of the pure compounds, which constitute the azeotrope.

An example, which I know quite well. HNO3 and H2O form an azeotrope with 68% HNO3 and 32% H2O by weight. HNO3 boils at around 80 C. H2O boils at 100 C. If you mix H2O with HNO3 in the azeotropic ratio, then that liquid boils at around 120 C. So, heating up to 80 C or 100 C does not give any boiling and also does not give an appreciable rate, at which a vapor is produced.

If you have a mix with excess water, then that mix will first start boiling at a temperature between 100 and 120 C, giving off mainly water. While the water content decreases, the boiling point will increase and also the relative amount of HNO3 in the water/HNO3 mix will increase. This continues, until the concentration of water is so low, that the azeotropic ratio is reached. At that point the maximum boiling point is reached and the vapor also contains H2O and HNO3 in the azeotropic ratio. A similar story can be told for excess HNO3 in the mix. Then first relatively much HNO3 is boiled over at a temp lower than 120 C. While the concentration of water increases, the boiling point increases.

[hvymetalalchmst]

im a little into the rc game, and i can safely say, dont bother using model fuel.

it contains ~65% methanol, 20-30%nitromethane  and 15%lubricant/oil

it is best to try to google homebrew nitro fuel rc.. or something along the lines of that. i have read nitromethane is able to be obtained from topfuel/speed shops in the US, or you might like to try and look up some nearby chemical suppliers.

oh, wait i remember, try out this: vpracingfuels.com or http://www.dow.com/angus/prod/nm.htm but im not too sure. i know you definitely can get it... but i guess you have to do the research for it.

but good luck.