Troubleshooting Popper Synthesis Theory...

Topic created by Nitritespecialist
on Tue, 26 Jan 2021 at 19:30

Nitritespecialist said on Tue, 26 Jan 2021 at 19:30...

Apparently when poppers are being made, the reaction reaches a point of equilibrium, whereby not all reactants have been used up and product still remains largely impure. This means that when starting with a theoretical balanced equation using balanced ratios of reagents, the end product will not be pure unless the reaction is forced towards the end product(popper). Forcing the reaction to form more pure product can be accomplished by adding excess reagents, such as excess sodium nitrite and acid, which would cause excess nitrous acid to form, which in theory should fully saturate the alcohol, creating a highly pure popper. So....it could be that to consistently make good potent poppers, one needs to add a great excess of both SN and acid. So if a balanced equation would require 7 grams of SN, perhaps 10 grams would more likely create a more pure popper, wasting some nitrogen, but guaranteeing a better product.

Nitritespecialist said on Tue, 26 Jan 2021 at 19:33...

A word of caution: when using excess sodium nitrite and acid, there will be a large amount of nitrogen dioxide emitted, which requires an outdoor reaction or a fume hood exhausted to the outside. This should never been done inside without appropriate ventilation.

The Professor said on Sun, 18 Apr 2021 at 00:46...

This is incorrect. Alkyl nitrite preparation is a reversible reaction. That means that the yield can slowly decompose back into its consituents. It does NOT mean that an equilibrium will be reached that limits the reaction's completion. two separate issues.

An excess of reactants will only serve to create more waste products.