Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Why use a acetone bath in rdx synthesis?
Smoker Root
Harmless
*




Posts: 35
Registered: 29-7-2019
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 17-6-2020 at 08:57
Why use a acetone bath in rdx synthesis?


At the end of the sybthesis before precepitating the RDX on cold water it says to eliminate linear nitramines with heat to heat the nitrating mixture in a acetone bath at 50c for 5-10min. But i belive it can be done in a water bath. Then why acetone bath? Can anybody explain?
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Refinery
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 371
Registered: 17-2-2014
Member Is Offline

Mood: Still

[*] posted on 17-6-2020 at 10:50


I would doubt that water could cause hot spots.

Another thing is that acetone boils at 56C so it would buffer the temp effectively at or below.

I would be very vary of using such higly flammable liquid as a bath for any purpose whatsoever.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Swinfi2
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 131
Registered: 19-2-2018
Location: England
Member Is Offline

Mood: Catalytic

[*] posted on 17-6-2020 at 12:53


While acetone is extremely flammable whoever wrote that prep thinks the chance of exploding from RDX outweighs the chance of fire. You can make a spark free room/fume hood if you can make RDX.

You could use water, but you might explode if the bottom touches. Also Not knowing if you screw up to expect a bang or a fireball first might make you a bit more careful.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
mackolol
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 459
Registered: 26-10-2017
Member Is Offline

Mood: Funky

[*] posted on 17-6-2020 at 13:11


The smell of acetone in that kind of bath would be owerwhelming. And what a terrible loss.
Just use hotplate on low setting with water bath!
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Refinery
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 371
Registered: 17-2-2014
Member Is Offline

Mood: Still

[*] posted on 17-6-2020 at 13:57


Making water bath so that the bottom of the reactor doesnt touch the bath vessel is trivial. Boiling acetone and handling high explosive in such vapors makes me think else. Also, I would see that adding more fear factor to a reaction only ups the chance of error.

Bigger bath, better temp control. You can use 10L bucket for 50C water and it sits right there for good with a small reaction vessel. Next to that, plastic and external bath media heating eliminates hot spots.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Smoker Root
Harmless
*




Posts: 35
Registered: 29-7-2019
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 18-6-2020 at 11:30


Quote: Originally posted by Refinery  
Making water bath so that the bottom of the reactor doesnt touch the bath vessel is trivial. Boiling acetone and handling high explosive in such vapors makes me think else. Also, I would see that adding more fear factor to a reaction only ups the chance of error.

Bigger bath, better temp control. You can use 10L bucket for 50C water and it sits right there for good with a small reaction vessel. Next to that, plastic and external bath media heating eliminates hot spots.


That was my idea! RB suspended on a water bath easy as that. No need for nothing.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Smoker Root
Harmless
*




Posts: 35
Registered: 29-7-2019
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 18-6-2020 at 11:35


Quote: Originally posted by Swinfi2  
While acetone is extremely flammable whoever wrote that prep thinks the chance of exploding from RDX outweighs the chance of fire. You can make a spark free room/fume hood if you can make RDX.

You could use water, but you might explode if the bottom touches. Also Not knowing if you screw up to expect a bang or a fireball first might make you a bit more careful.


What u mean if the bottom touches? Would it not be the same if it was on an acetone bath? And of course I am going to use an RB for a nitration and just suspend it
View user's profile View All Posts By User
ThoughtsIControl
Hazard to Self
**




Posts: 50
Registered: 13-10-2019
Location: Proxima Centauri
Member Is Offline

Mood: Yin over yang

[*] posted on 18-6-2020 at 11:44


I think your lab is trying to get the point across that you can use different mediums to boil a mixture in depending on its boiling point. Acetone would be perfect as a medium since it boils at 56 C and you want to keep the mixture at 50C.



"I do not see myself as outside, why enter?"
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Refinery
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 371
Registered: 17-2-2014
Member Is Offline

Mood: Still

[*] posted on 18-6-2020 at 16:10


It could arise from jacketed reactor. Mantle filled with boiling acetone buffers temp to 56Cmax. Self controlling temp.
View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top