Σldritch - 31-1-2017 at 10:14
Today I tried to make sodium fluoride from PTFE by fusing it with sodium hydroxide.
Guessing the overall reaction would proceed like this:
6 NaOH + 2 CF2 = 2 H2O + 4 NaF + Na2CO3 + CH2O
(The Formaldehyde would form from the pyrolysis of Sodium Formate).
I weighted out 5 grams of Teflon tape and 12 grams of sodium hydroxide. The teflon tape was cut up using scissors and mixed in a stainless steel
crucible with the Sodium Hydroxide.
For safety equipment i vore a gas mask and googles to protect me from sodium hydroxide vapors aswell as mundane clothes to protect me slightly. (I
noticed a burning sensation on on my skin when it got temporarly uncovered, be careful).
The crucible now filled with the reagents was heated slowly over a burner without noticable reaction. At read head an exothermic reaction took place
at what looked like the interface of the Sodium Hydroxide and the PTFE which slowly creeped from one side of the cruble to the other leaving a dark
gray ash. The reaction formed a flammable gas that was ignited shortly after production by the burner. The ash was burnt off and the mixture cooled on
ametal plate and placed in a glass jar for storage.
So, does anyone have ideas/advice for purification, safety and potential reactions of Sodium Flouride?
unionised - 31-1-2017 at 11:46
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonyl_fluoride
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_fume_fever
etc.
Σldritch - 31-1-2017 at 12:08
Thanks, i used plenty of ventilation so i think i will be fine, still aproacing the 8 hour mark though.
I guess the hydrolysis reaction proceeds at too high of a temprature to limit the formation of those compounds. Should have thought about that.
[Edited on 31-1-2017 by Σldritch]
NitratedKittens - 1-2-2017 at 12:54
Ok so if eldritch disappears then we know why.