I don't know where to get N2 apart from in a large liquid nitrogen tube that would cost $$$$ and I would also have to come up with an explanation for why I needed it. Is it sold for any non-medical purpose such as model trains or something?
Is N2O inert?
How do I find out if a novel drug, such as a cathinone or novel tryptamine, is acid sensitive?
Argon, in the form of welding gas, is actually very easy to find even in small quantities. Is this technical grade good enough, or will it contain harmful impurities that might cause oxidation?
I understand an inert gas is usually not necessary, but I'm interested in the theoretical optimum.
Nick, the best thing for you would be to get argon. You can buy it online in containers with easy dispension, made for wine preservation (just google winesave) I'm sure it's pure, since it's intended to be in contact with "food". I don't use it myself, but I'm considering it for my jar of acid blotters.
But as Seiko says, it's not really neccesary for most compounds. If you have vials with proper lids and pack them thightly to the brim, and store them in the freezer, you should be good. The argon is just going to be an unnessecary hassle.
The vials you want to get, would be amber pyrex glass vials, size 5/8 dram. Fits approximately one gram of most compounds, give or take, depending on the density obviously. The lid should be be lined with some kind of foam (it's often PE) Don't get the lids with foil linning, I don't think they seal as tightly. Again, google is your friend
If you need to find out about the stability of a certain compound, ask in the respective threads. Some one there might have first hand experience with its stability. Otherwise, ask around if any one can see any easily reactive groups on the structure. But generally, discussions on the stability of specific chems belongs in their respective threads.
We do have two threads on the topic, though.
The-Big-and-Dandy-Storage-Thread
The-Big-and-Dandy-Solubility-and-Stability-Thread