DalisAndy
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Alcohol borates synthesis
For making triethyl and triisopropyl borate, I have found a cheap $5 USD, source of both boric acid and a sulfuric acid source. Pic Orthoboric acid
roach and ant killer contains the polyboate Na2SO4•H3BO3. That should allow you to synthesize triethyl and triisopropyl borate without having to
buy sulfuric acid
Elements Collected: 19/81 (Excluding all radioactive, using placecard for those)
Any tips or good sources are welcome.
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gdflp
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That won't work. Esterifications require a strong acid, and that is not a strong acid. You either need sulfuric acid or perchloric acid, or you can
directly bubble hydrogen chloride into the reaction mixture.
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DalisAndy
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The Na2SO4 will recombine with the H3BO3 to form Borax and sulfuric acid in solution
Elements Collected: 19/81 (Excluding all radioactive, using placecard for those)
Any tips or good sources are welcome.
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Detonationology
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I have this brand boric acid and it works well for trimethyl borate. Na2SO4 will not make H2SO4 in solution. You will need sodium BIsulfate
(NaHSO4). The first protonation in water yields Na+ and HSO4- ions, then the second yields H+ and SO4-2. The H+ is what is necessary to catalyze the
reaction, that's why a strong acid like H2SO4 is used. The 3 hydrogens in H3BO3 react with 3 OH groups belong to the alcohol to yield 3 atoms of H2O.
[Edited on 10-22-2015 by Detonationology]
“There are no differences but differences of degree between different degrees of difference and no difference.” ― William James
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Amos
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Nope. Firstly, sodium sulfate isn't even soluble in alcohol, and any water present will only serve to impede the reaction. Secondly, sulfuric acid is
a stronger acid than boric acid by many orders of magnitude, and the amount of boric acid produced by the equilibrium is negligible if any at all.
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gdflp
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It will not due to
equilibriums. Sulfuric acid is a strong acid, while boric acid is a rather weak acid. Thus, if you mixed a solution of sodium borate and sulfuric
acid, it would form sodium sulfate and boric acid. However, the reverse will not happen due the low pKa of both sulfuric acid and
bisulfate ions. Esterifications require a strong acid to accomplish certain protonations, and boric acid is incapable of doing so.
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vaiby23
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hello friends i wanna make 2kg batch of trimethyl borate in lab please help.
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Hawkguy
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Why do you need 2kg of Trimethyl Borate?
EDIT
I think I know.. Green fire n stuff. Imma try mixing it with instant snow soon 
[Edited on 28-10-2015 by Hawkguy]
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