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Topic: copper solution  (Read 2645 times)

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Offline jackn007

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copper solution
« on: November 25, 2013, 12:37:39 AM »
Some time ago I made a copper salts solution by putting copper pipes in vinegar. The solution was blue. I mixed it half and half with rubbing alcohol (ethanol) and it burned with a pretty green flame. The liquid evaporated over some months leaving dark blue crystals behind.

Today I dissolved these crystals in water (nice blue solution), and then mixed it with isopropyl alcohol. The solution turned black immediately and started bubbling. It smelt sour and fruity, sort of like vinegar, but more fruity. It continued to bubble for hours. It still burns with a nice green flame.

What have I made?

Offline Corribus

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Re: copper solution
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2013, 12:21:38 PM »
Won't copper catalyze the formation of acetone from isopropyl alcohol?
What men are poets who can speak of Jupiter if he were like a man, but if he is an immense spinning sphere of methane and ammonia must be silent?  - Richard P. Feynman

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: copper solution
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2013, 11:26:56 AM »
I do not know if the person who did the original posting will return
But
I always thought that rubbing alcohol was isopropyl alcohol not ethanol
The original post indicated indicated in parenthesis ethanol at one point in the post.

But WIKI says there are also some formulations of rubbing alcohol that have ethanol.
That is if I read it correctly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubbing_alcohol

In any case we would need the name of the product and ingredients to be provided by the person who originally posted for the various steps they did.
Or it was a typo and should have been isopropyl alcohol  in the parenthesis not ethanol

I know this is nit picking but I was confused



Offline billnotgatez

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Re: copper solution
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2013, 12:11:48 PM »
By the way, here is a portion of the WIKI on rubbing alcohol which indicates that ethanol can be used as a substitute or an associate of isopropyl alcohol.

Quote
Legislation

In the USA, rubbing alcohol, USP and all preparations coming under the classification of Rubbing Alcohols (defined as those containing ethanol) must be manufactured[citation needed] in accordance with the requirements of the US Treasury Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, using Formula 23-H (8 parts by volume of acetone, 1.5 parts by volume of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 100 parts by volume of ethyl alcohol). It contains 87.5-91% by volume of absolute ethyl alcohol. The rest consists of water and the denaturants, with or without color additives, and perfume oils. Rubbing Alcohol contains in each 100 mL not less than 355 mg of sucrose octaacetate or not less than 1.40 mg of denatonium benzoate. The preparation may be colored with one or more color additives. A suitable stabilizer may also be added.[4]

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