The Vespiary

The Hive => Newbee Forum => Topic started by: leaf12 on February 24, 2004, 09:27:00 AM

Title: Drying NaCNBH3
Post by: leaf12 on February 24, 2004, 09:27:00 AM

I've obtained a small bottle of NaCNBH3, but it's quite wet. What would be the best way to remove this?
Which dessicant should I use? CaCl2 doesn't work (after two days in a vacc excicattor it didn't seemed any more dry) and H2SO4 is probably to risky (HCN)..

Title: Putting it over some P2O5 should work.
Post by: foxy2 on February 24, 2004, 10:32:00 PM

Putting it over some P2O5 should work.

Title: From NaCNBH3 MSDS
Post by: fanofshulgin on February 25, 2004, 05:16:00 AM

This is taken from the MSDS of sodium cyanoborohydride.

10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability: 
Water reactive. Very hygroscopic. May decompose on exposure to moist air or water. 
Hazardous Decomposition Products: 
Thermal combustion or decompositon may produce hydrogen cyanide, borane, oxides of carbon, nitrogen and boron; liberating flammable/explosive hydrogen gas. 
Hazardous Polymerization: 
Will not occur. 
Incompatibilities: 
Strong oxidizers, water, acids. 
Conditions to Avoid: 
Heat, flame, ignition sources, water, moist air, and incompatibles.

I would therefore suggest that your cyanoborohydride may well be dead.  Be very careful about wasting any valuable material with it.  Best to try and obtain a new sealed bottle before you experiment!

Fan of Shulgin