Class 1 / Class 2 solvents in RC's

[EncryptiC]

Does anyone have any evidence of class 1 solvent residues cropping up in research chemicals or illicit drugs?

Class 1: (known carcinogens, highly toxic)
Benzene
Carbon tetrachloride
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane

Any publications looked at purity over time / many batches? The repeated use of 99.5 or 99.9% purity by RC companies makes the data unbelievable - simply don't believe far eastern labs are worried about that last 2% with any consistency.

 

[sekio]

Nobody (should) use benzine or chlorocarbon solvents these days other than chloroform/DCM unless they're running a hackney meth lab.

Popular solvents in the lab are DCM, chloroform, pentane/hexane/heptane, ketones, water, alcohols etc. Chloroethanes and ethenes are only used as dry cleaning agent/"liquid air" in this day and age. Benzine is not even really sold any more due to carcinogenicity risks.

 

[Alcyone]

^ While I agree with you completely, let's not forget that pretty much any medium-sized Chinese city has its Hackney equivalent. Plus, our Chinese friends are at least 20 years behind us in terms of HSE regulations (not entirely a bad thing).

Benzene, I doubt it. TCE, probably not. Haloalkanes, yes, very likely in my experience.

 

[stormyweathers]

haloalkanes other than DCM or CHCl3?

 

[sekio]

I would venture out on a limb and say no reasonable lab will use haloalkanes other than DCM/chloro. But I can't guarantee that.