nbk2000
August 16th, 2002, 08:51 AM
Ethylene Glycol, besides being useful for making EGDN, is also a prime precursor for the manufacture of mustard gas (as detailed in my PDF). Now, usually, the easiest way to obtain this material OTC is in the form of anti-freeze.
However, anti-freeze contains all sorts of other chemicals that need to be seperated, like surfactants/stabilizers/protectants/etc, requiring fractional distillation and filtration to get to suitable purity.
Not anymore. :)
I found a product that's common (at least in the snowy US states), is 33% EG, with the other 66% being methyl alchohol which is easily removed by simply heating the product in an open container.
The product is called "De-icer". :D I'm sure you can find it in any autoparts store during the cold season.
<img src="http://server3001.freeyellow.com/nbk2000/Glycol1.jpg" alt=" - " />
$1.30 for 16 ounces, which translates into at least 5 ounces of EG. Probably more accounting for the difference in density between MeOH and EG.
I measured out 10 mL (graduated cylinder) and heated it at 180*F for two hours till constant volume.
<img src="http://server3001.freeyellow.com/nbk2000/Glycol2.jpg" alt=" - " />
After measuring the remainder, I had 3.3 mL remaining, thus 33% by volume of the deicer is EG.
If this source is too expensive for mass production, then it's at least suitable as an easy source of (technical grade) EG for use in EGDN synth and in small scale mustard gas production before investing in large scale distillation equipment or bulk chemical purchases.
However, anti-freeze contains all sorts of other chemicals that need to be seperated, like surfactants/stabilizers/protectants/etc, requiring fractional distillation and filtration to get to suitable purity.
Not anymore. :)
I found a product that's common (at least in the snowy US states), is 33% EG, with the other 66% being methyl alchohol which is easily removed by simply heating the product in an open container.
The product is called "De-icer". :D I'm sure you can find it in any autoparts store during the cold season.
<img src="http://server3001.freeyellow.com/nbk2000/Glycol1.jpg" alt=" - " />
$1.30 for 16 ounces, which translates into at least 5 ounces of EG. Probably more accounting for the difference in density between MeOH and EG.
I measured out 10 mL (graduated cylinder) and heated it at 180*F for two hours till constant volume.
<img src="http://server3001.freeyellow.com/nbk2000/Glycol2.jpg" alt=" - " />
After measuring the remainder, I had 3.3 mL remaining, thus 33% by volume of the deicer is EG.
If this source is too expensive for mass production, then it's at least suitable as an easy source of (technical grade) EG for use in EGDN synth and in small scale mustard gas production before investing in large scale distillation equipment or bulk chemical purchases.