Acrolein

[MrSamosa]

This was brought up in the Self Defence thread, but I feel it really deserves a thread of its own...I was just thinking about posting something on it anyway. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Acrolein is made by removing 2 Water Molecules from Glycerol. It is a really nasty gas: highly flammable, very toxic, and causes some skin damage. It can also form explosive peroxides when stored. Here is an excerpt from its MSDS ( <a href="http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/a1538.htm" target="_blank">http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/a1538.htm</a> ):

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">11. Toxicological Information
Toxicological Data:
- Toxicological Data -
Oral rat LD50: 26 mg/kg;
Inhalation rat LC50: 18 mg/m3 / 4 H;
Skin rabbit LD50: 200 mg/kg.

- Irritation Data -
Skin rabbit (std Draize, 2 mg / 24 H): Severe;
Skin rabbit (open Draize, 5 mg): Severe;
Eye rabbit (std Draize, 50 ug / 24 H): Severe;
Eye rabbit (std Draize, 1 mg): Severe.

Investigated as a tumorigen, mutagen, reproductive effector.
Carcinogenicity:
EPA / IRIS classification: Group C - Possible human carcinogen. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">If you haven't downloaded "War Gases" off the FTP, you really should; very interesting and useful. In this book, it describes the synthesis of Acrolein by dehydrating Glycerol (100 gm) using a Potassium Bisulphate (80 gm) and anhydrous Sodium Sulphate (20 gm) and heating to 160-180 degrees celsius.

It also mentioned that other chemicals can be used to dehydrate the Glycerin, such as phosphoric acid or boric acid. As of right now, I only have Boric Acid (H3BO3) on hand. I also have 80% Glycerin on hand (The laxative kind..hehe). Using Boric Acid, I should only get 30-40% of the theoretical yields, but I think this will for the better. The impurities will make the Acrolein store better, since they will delay its polymerization. Once Acrolein has polymerized, it loses its irritating properties and is worthless. My problem is that I do not know how to figure out the ratio of 80% Glycerol/20% Water to 100% Boric Acid powder.

I'm interested in this because of its relatively easy synthesis, which would make it a good choice as an improvised Chemical Weapon.

EDIT- I realized this would be better in the "Battlefield Chemistry" section. Could a moderator please move it.

<small>[ June 26, 2002, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: MrSamosa ]</small>

[kingspaz]

moving....

[Rhadon]

As usual, the polymer can be decomposed to the monomer by heating it. That means: Distill your mixture of acrolein and polymerized acrolein and you get pure acrolein again.
As by chance, last week I re-opened a test tube which I filled with a tiny amount of acrolein about two years ago. The odour was still quite pungent, thus I think that the polymerization is rather slow.

And (answering your post in the self defense thread): Some people, e.g. those described in the self defense thread, simply derserve acrolein in their face. But you're right to warn us, not last because this face could be our own <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

<small>[ June 26, 2002, 06:58 PM: Message edited by: Rhadon ]</small>

[MrSamosa]

Rhadon- how did you make your Acrolein? Or did you buy it from a chemical supplier? Pure Acrolein (without stabilizers) polymerizes quickly, in a few weeks, I think. But impure or with stabilizers, it can be stored for "Many Months" [War Gases]. I suppose when it comes time to use though, pure Acrolein is desirable. The higher toxicity will make up for the lower persistence. Maybe you could have cans of "disacryl" (Polymerized Acrolein), and have some way of heating them to release the Acrolein gas? The heat source could obviously not involve burning because of Acrolein's high flammability.

[cutefix]

Well, if you know about cooking.You can generate acrolein in the kitchen by allowing your frying oil to overheat, until it forms a smoke.Then you will feel that your eyes watery stung by its acrid penetrating fumes. That is acrolien.
Most of these fats are triglycerides;so for example ;triplamitin or glycerol tripalmitate contains a molecule of glycerol attached to three molecules of palmitic acid.
If these is broken down by heat it will separate into its components.T
he glycerol will then be converted to acrolein as you will notice by the pungent smell…

[Rhadon]

I made the acrolein myself by NaHSO4 and glycerine. Since I only distilled it one time it should still contain considerable impurities, probably mostly glycerine. Nevertheless, it's a very strong irritant.