Assume one has a very large quantity of GBL which has been adulterated w/ NMP (n-methyl-pyrrolidine). Reacting NaOH with this will obviously produce a quantity of GHB, but will the NMP react w/ the NaOH to form any nasties?
I had an idea to react the NaOH w/ the GBL/NMP, steam distill off the remaining unreacted GBL/NMP as their BP's are within 2-4 deg. C and evaporating the remainder to yield NaGHB powder (and probably some other heavy metal nasties). Then react the NaGHB w/ H2SO4 to go back to GBL and then distill.
My quandry is that the NMP would react w/ the NaOH to form a nasty, or form a product which would limit the reaction of the GBL w/ the NaOH.
Anyone?