[TheCheshireCat]

Hi everyone! I was planning on conducting an experiment to create green fire using Borax (sodium tetraborate), with methanol as the fuel. However, I was unable to obtain methanol. Will rubbing alcohol (ethyl alcohol) work just as well, or will the result not be as brilliantly green? Thanks!

[orthoformate]

Hi everyone! I was planning on conducting an experiment to create green fire using Borax (sodium tetraborate), with methanol as the fuel. However, I was unable to obtain methanol. Will rubbing alcohol (ethyl alcohol) work just as well, or will the result not be as brilliantly green? Thanks!

According to wikipedia, you need the MeOH flame to get the transparent green. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax

You can buy methanol on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/METHANOL-ACS-REAGENT-GRADE-ONE-GALLON-POLY-BOTTLE-/111399308662?hash=item19efea8d76:g:ng8AAOSwwNVTtZDd

[AWK]

For this purpose you need a volatile trialkyl borate,  hence methyl alcohol works best. Instead methanol you may use methylated (denatured) alcohol. Rubbing alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) usually contain ~30 % of water (US) and work worser. As catalyst you need a few drops of concentrated H₂SO₄ (danger! - gogles, latex gloves) or at least battery acid (~30%).

[AWK]

Burning methyborate in darkness (reaction in boiling methanol). Photo without flash.