[hobobot]

Most of the interesting and/or useful reactions you can do involve the use of concentrated acids. Getting said acid is usually a chore, even if they aren't a controlled substance.

I get my concentrated H2SO4 from ace hardware.  They sell a drain cleaner that's about 90% H2SO4. It's called "S-T Drain Opener." 1 quart = $10

I'm curious as to where others get their acids/bases?

[nj_bartel]

Rooto drain cleaner from ACE = primo sulfuric acid; ~93-96%, quite clear.

[skyjumper]

"muriatic acid" is HCl. Can be bought at Home Depot cheap as a brick cleaner. Nitric can be made cheaply liek this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yE7v4wkuZU

[hobobot]

I didn't see that "rooto" brand at my local store, but it sounds worth checking out. thanks.

I've heard about making HNO3 from nitrate salts, but I've never had the chance. I didn't know it could get that strong from a fractional distillation.

[billnotgatez]

I wonder how many home labs have fume hoods and fractional distillation equipment.

I have seen drain unclogging compounds with the description as buffered sulfuric acid. I never really found out if that made it too impure to use in experiments.

[hobobot]

I wonder how many home labs have fume hoods and fractional distillation equipment.

I have seen drain unclogging compounds with the description as buffered sulfuric acid. I never really found out if that made it too impure to use in experiments.

ebay is a great source of distillation equipment. Used condensers go as low as $20.
I live in an area that produces a lot of distilled spirits and other alcohols. So I'm always finding cool stuff at garage sales.

[billnotgatez]

@hobobot

What kind of fume do you have?

[nj_bartel]

I don't think he said he had a fume hood.  At any rate, I don't think improv'ing one is too involved.  A small scale example - take an old small freezer/fridge, drill a circle out the top/back, sized to an inline duct fan.  Set a torch's burner up on the outlet of the fan.

[hobobot]

@hobobot

What kind of fume do you have?

I usually just do stuff outside. I'm not a safe person.

[408]

Outdoors is pretty safe, just stay upwind. 

In my much younger days I would distill fuming nitric acid in the garage with the door closed and a gas mask.  Once done and equipment put away, open the door and leave.  Never smelled a thing 

Back in my experimenting days....

A lapidary supplier kept me happy with conc. HNO3, H2SO4, HCl, all of reagent grade for slightly expensive prices.  They also ordered me some conc. perchloric on request once.

But I had to distill the 100% nitric I needed, and I often used drain opener H2SO4 when purity was not a concern.

[nj_bartel]

Shifting winds suck in that regard.  Major noseful of dry HCl once.

[billnotgatez]

I have seen drain unclogging compounds with the description as buffered sulfuric acid. I never really found out if that made it too impure to use in experiments.

does anyone know

[nj_bartel]

I mean, I'm sure it depends on the experiment.  I don't believe "buffered" in this case actually means buffered.  I think corrosion inhibitors are added to keep the acid from messing up pipes.  From what I've heard, these are generally very high MW compounds, so if you have the equipment, you can get rid of them by distillation.

[billnotgatez]

thank you
it sounds logical

[408]

nj bartel is correct.

Most drain opener is around 92% sulfuric.