sticky leftover from GBL -> NaGHB

[taig]

A solution of NaGHB in water was placed in a pan covered with alumium foil and was heated to evaporate off the water. After the water was gone, only liquid NaGHB remained in the pan which was placed in the fridge for a few minutes and the NaGHB solidified.

Now the foil was removed and it was found that the back of the foil as well as the pan was covered by a sticky, almost glue-like liquid. At first it was supposed to be liquid NaGHB but it didn't solidify even after several hours. The taste was equal to NaGHB.

What can this be? NaGHB dissolved in a small amount of water, not enough to make it liquid but only glue-like? But why was that found between the foil and the pan? Has anyone experienced something similar?


I wasn't sure if this may rather belong in the newbee section... sorry.

[raybeez]

NaGHB is very hydroscopic. If not air tight, it most likely sucked up some water from the atmosphere. You could try pouring it out of the pot, and into a glass pyrex dish to cool. If you immediately cover the pyrex dish with saran wrap, you should be able to keep it dry.

[taig]

So you suppose this to be water/NaGHB? I just found it strange how it made its way beyond the aluminium foil...

[Chromic]

That's aluminum hydroxide! You likely had a very small amount of NaOH left over in your NaGHB. Next time use GLASS to boil it down, m'kay?  

[taig]

I never thought about that maybe the aluminium might have reacted. Well, you live and learn...  

[StraightEdge]

>After the water was gone, only liquid NaGHB remained in the pan which was placed in the fridge for a few minutes and the NaGHB solidified.

There is no need to refrigerate. The melting point of NaGHB, 145-146 degrees celsius, is much higher than room temperature.

>Now the foil was removed and it was found that the back of the foil as well as the pan was covered by a sticky, almost glue-like liquid. At first it was supposed to be liquid NaGHB but it didn't solidify even after several hours. The taste was equal to NaGHB.

Surely there was a hole in the foil somewhere. Otherwise aluminum foil has some strange properties I did not know about. But why even bother with the foil? If for some reason you are afraid to buy lab glassware, go to a cooking store and get a clear glass saucepan (clear so that you can see when the product is burning). That will work better than what you have right now.

You said it did not solidify after several hours, but earlier you said it solidified after a few minutes (which makes more sense). Which is it?

[taig]

The liquid NaGHB in the pan solidified nearly imediately in the fridge, while that liquid under the foil did not (and has not up to now) solidify. The reason why I put it in the fridge was because I wanted it to cool down fast.

I have glass ware, just not a glass dish big enough and I wasn't going to buy one just for this task. But you're right, using a pan and foil is quick and dirty...