phase_dancer
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2001
- Messages
- 6,179
Reasons why some meth is gluggy, and why other crystal may turn gluggy. It's usually a result of 1 of 2 things.
- Meth is so impure crystallization will not occur - termed base. This often also has solvents present such as acetone, toluene or xylene, or a mixture of these and possibly also methyl butyl ketone (MBK) if a paint or general purpose solvent is used. "Pseudo" or mixed crystal forms may be obtained from a product like this by using adulterants. Depending upon technique, the crystal may be more or less affected by moisture than the pure thing.
- The methods employed in crystallization of pure meth. Want to know how they grow really BIG crystals? There are several methods that can be employed. Apparently, a common one is via vapour (meth) depositing on a copper surface. Some of these methods use VERY dry conditions. Of course using anhydrous solvents and conditions means a more pure for weight product, but some crystallization methods won't work at all if there's moisture present. This product can be very susceptible to absorbing moisture. Humidity can make all the difference.
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Meth loves to form beautiful lattice arrangements by itself, but also bonds with water. The crystal is a protonated form of the freebase, meaning the Nitrogen on the amine is bonded with an "extra" hydrogen. This comes from the H-Cl; the acid used to make the salt.
The extra H gives the Nitrogen a + charge. ( -NH< ) The + charge permits the loosely bound extra H to be attracted to the slightly negative charge on the Oxygen of H2O. This is known as H or hydrogen bonding and is the reason water doesn't boil at around 0-1 degree celsius. Most of all, water molecules love to bond with each other in this manner.
Similar forces are due to electrostatic attraction-repulsion and all are collectively grouped as weak intermolecular or "Van der Waals" forces. When meth etc is anhydrous, these forces exist between 2 or more amphetamine molecules and a single Hydrogen. It's a bit like a tug of war where both teams are equal in strength. The shapes which result determine the crystalline structure.
Sometimes it's hard to "push" out the water if bound with an amine like meth. It can usually be substantially reduced by heating and cooling in a completely dry environment. A hot jar containing dried silica gel helps - details are elsewhere, use the search function.
During the hours of early morning (usually sometime between 2-6am) precipitation occurs in the lower atmosphere. Humidity will effectively increase for a period. e.g. the humidity level here (SE qld) is currently around 54% during the day but is 73% at 3:30 am
If the weather has been very dry - and I mean very dry - opening your rock to the atmosphere during this time may result in the crystal absorbing moisture.
If you really want to get into the science of crystallization ( and therefore understand all on the above topic) then there's always the next level; Crystal Microscopy. This technique is regularly used by forensic scientists when initially identifying a drug, or if confirming TLC results. Some drugs make very characteristic crystal patterns when stained with different dyes and crystallized from different solvents.
Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
Other compounds such as steroids also form amazing crystals. How can this next molecule be bad for you?
Cholesterol
More here
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