Tried it again with better results.. did the following:
1) Heated 100mL of otc product with GBL to 110 degC
2) Dissolved 0.68 mol NaOH in H2O (1g/2.5mL), (assuming 60mL of the 100mL of product was GBL) and slowly added it into product while mag stirring
3) 2 layers formed during the addition of the NaOH(aq). Tests showed that the _bottom_ layer was actually the aqueous layer! Bottom layer had an orange colour.
4) When 80% of the NaOH (aq) was added, ph of the bottom layer was taken, and found to be 12
5) 15mL more of otc product was added to the mixture while stirring at 110degC. pH of the bottom layer was found to be ~7.
6) Solution was cooled, and bottom aqueous layer was removed via sep. funnel
7) Aqueous layer (still orange) was boiled until H2O was removed.. temp hit 125degC and product immediately started solidifying
Poured into pyrex dish to harden.. looks like NaGHB! Product cooled, slightly wetter than Swim is used too, somewhat strange consistancy, slightly brown in colour, smells okay, taste is initially fine but has a strange aftertaste. Bioassay +ve for GHB (whoop!) but product seems slightly weaker then normal.
So: Swim thinks there's still some kind of impurity in the G.. it's brown and taste is definately off. Also, it solidifies instantly at around 125degC. Normally, swim can heat it up to around 150degC, maintain the temp until h2o is all bubbled away, then the GHB cools as the temp drops.
Swim tried the following cleanup:
1) Re-dissolve GHB in H2O and wash with ethyl acetate, then boil off water and re-solidify it.. ethyl acetate seems to have pulled _nothing_ out of the discoloured GHB, and no improvement in product is noted
2) NaGHB is dissolved in H2O (0.5g/mL) and is steam distilled to hopefully remove impurities. Distillate has slight aroma of orange sweet but tastes exactly like pure H2O. No improvement in product is noted.
What else can swim try to purify?? Even if no one decides to help, Swim wants to thank everyone for their input so far, as product definately seems consumable.
Peace.