Too much catalyst?

[Rat Bastard]

I made AP once before, It worked great and I used this formula:

50ml acetone
150ml 6% H202
3ml H2S04

Someone said to use more Catalyst, so in my next batch I just made, I used 12ml H2S04 but it got really cloudy. Is this normal? or did I use too much?

P.S: the H2S04 I use is drain cleaner and it is has the color of syrup.

[DBSP]

It got cloudy because lots of AP was forming quickly when the catalyst was added, thus resulting in a mist of AP in the solution. This happens when you add the catalyst fast I belive since the only times I've had the cloud forming has been when I've added the catalyst quick.

[Rat Bastard]

id have to admit, I did add it a little fast (but I still kept it below 10c)

Its been 12 hours now, it is still cloudy (kinda greenish) but I see crystals piling up at the bottom of the jar, I think im going to get a lot of AP with this batch.

[VX]

Yeah DBSP is right, your AP will be fine. :) , technicaly you can't add too much of a catalyst. Adding more catalyst always results in a faster rate of reaction indefinatly until another factor becomes the limiting factor to the reaction.

The only problems with adding lots of catalyst (generally) is firstly the cost (A few extra ml's of H2SO4 won't break the bank), and removing the catalyst from the produt afterwards.... this is not a problem with the production of AP as H2SO4 is very soluble in water and AP is not, adding bicarb of soda also helps remove exess acid.

VX

[Anthony]

It shouldn't be green... What did you stir it with?

Just to be picky, I would have thought that (generally) the major problem with adding catalyst quickly would be removing heat build-up and controlling the reaction rate:)

[Rat Bastard]

<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/raydawg/pics/ap1.jpg" alt="" />

This is it at 16 hours now. It's barley green.

I used my thermometer to stirr it (yes I am using a proper chemistry one).

<small>[ April 07, 2002, 08:22 PM: Message edited by: Rat Bastard ]</small>

[Anthony]

Looks ok to me, I can't even make out if it is actually green or not. Shouldn't affect the finished product.

[mark]

The more heat in the reaction, the faster it will form I belive. When I used drain cleaner, The reaction got pretty hot and the AP formed much faster than it did with HCL. Your AP looks fine btw.