muriatic AND sulfuric acid extraction

[rocknrllnurse]

sorry if this is the wrong forum. I was using muriatic acid to extract and crystalize propylhexadrine from Benzedrex inhalers, and i later discovered that the solution also contained sulfuric acid. so now after a lot of cooking and drying, the end result won't dry and still smells of the original solution. Since i followed my instructions correctly with the exception of the sulfuric acid, i can only assume that the problem is that the sulfuric acid did not evaporate. is there a way i can salvage this and isolate the propylhexadrine?

 

[Dave]

That's what you get for using hardware store reagents/solvents. Chances are there was a lot more crap contaminating that muriatic acid than just sufuric acid. Unless you are 100% sure of everything that might be in your solution you will have a bitch of a time extracting the compound that you want.

I'd say cut your losses, get some lab grade reagents AND solvents, and try again. If lab grade reagents aren't a possibility, then try a different "hobby".

 

[Limpet Chicken]

You could neutralise the remaining acid with a base such as sodium carbonate or bicarbonate (baking soda) or magnesium oxide, just make sure that whatever base is used, the sulfate salt isnt harmful.

 

[nuke]

Dave is right... even food grade acids are much better to use than the industrial stuff (I've learned that the 100% volatility on a MSDS is a load of bullshit). Buy some real lab grade stuff, or stick to things already approved for human consumption (eg, absorbic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid)