Wazza- you beat me too it
I think the term is deliquescent or hygroscopic, although agroscopic is probably also fitting. Semantics in this area is somewhat confusing, as all three terms sort of mean the same thing. But then again, some people distinctly define each differently
Cowboy Mac, good link. I wasn't aware that boiling stones (chips) used in the lab were considered unfit fit for using in production of human intended substances 8( I'm sure those I used last week - to synthesize pretty coloured metal complexes- were made by Merck. I do remember noting a comprehensive label, but I never looked that closely. I'll get back on this one
Makes one wonder how much E is made using less than optimal boiling stones. Big batches would of course be expected to use more, but then again, risks from other substance contamination could also be thought to be far more likely. Mercury is the main one here, particularly if the MDMA is made in smaller batches where mercury-aluminium amalgam is frequently employed to reduce the imine to an amine. While good lab technique would be expected to rid most of the mercury, if there's only unclean glassware around when something is needed in a hurry, contamination could easily occur. Perhaps we need a few heavy metals kits as part of a comprehensive reagent testing procedure.
Apollo, even if the steam distill-purification step is skipped, weighing the dry, non-purified crystals would help make the dosage more accurate (should be done on a 0.01 res or better balance) However, due to it's simplicity (no specialized drug making equipment) the purification step should also be included if one is serious about their health.
If GHB powder ever becomes wet, it can easily be dried in a desiccator. A simple one can be made with a good sealing glass casserole dish and lid. Smear some vaseline around the seal - first make sure you'll be able to slide the lid off afterwards - and 1/4 fill with colour changed silica gel (preheated in an oven till it's blue). Then place in the wet GHB crystal in a small open pyrex glass or beaker, and sit in the middle of the silica. Carefully put on the lid and pop in a SLIGHTLY WARM - but more imortantly dry- oven for 10-20 minutes. It's best if you can first leave in the silica to absorb any moisture within the dish before putting in the GHB or other wet crystal. To be absolutley safe -in case oven temp is too much above room temp- leave a small gap when closing the lid.
The U-beaut models have the silica on mesh tray, and it can't spill into the upper areas where the soggy crystals go. These also have a vacuum connection for even faster results at lower temps. Better again is a vacuum oven. This can take a sludge and overnight turn it to a powder. I know, one saved my lab prac last week