when basifying what solvent can be substituted in for chloroform

[T9358]

the average person does not have access to chloroform, when basifying say DPT HCL to create a freebase, is there another solvent that can be used, I don't want to end up with toxic DPT, wich is why I am asking, no need for a tek just a option. is this chloroform used based on its polarity or lack there of? thanks

 

[sekio]

chloroform is used because its a water-immiscible solvent with moderate polarity

naptha is the best bet for a layman


this is not really advanced discussion.

 

[alovesupreme]

you should be able to find small home scientific vendors on the web or on certain popular auction sites that will sell small amounts of chloroform (< 500 mL). in a pinch, you could substitute with dichloromethane which i know those vendors _definitely_ sell (again, in small quantities). it shouldn't cost you too much either. anything else won't evaporate as nice and clean so extractions are messier and more of a pain in the butt. just because fisher or sigma-aldrich won't talk to you doesn't mean some of these organic solvents are impossible to get (anymore). now, fine organics and organic intermediates, different story... there's a business idea!