Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Trying to get rid of chemicals. Nearish Philadelphia

StanleyKodak - 18-4-2019 at 16:39

My father recently (December) passed away and he had a ton of chemicals and related equipment.

I'd like to get rid of these chemicals ASAP, as having them at home is concerning given my ignorance.

Largely, my father was into explosives. He made bombs since 15 years old, got super into chemistry, was in EOD, etc.

Anyway, here's what I have:


In particular, I have:

- chemicals

-- Aluminum Powder

-- Ammonium dichromate, extra pure

-- Ammonium perchlorate

-- Ammonium Sylfate fert

-- Ammonium Sylphate

-- Barium hydroxide octahydrate, Hi-LR

-- Barium nitrate, purified

-- Ca(OH)2

-- CaC2

-- CaCl Anhyd

-- CaCO3

-- Calcium Chloride

-- Chromium trioxide

-- Copper Sulphate (CuSO4)

-- Copper(I) cyanide

-- Copper(II) bromide

-- Cupric Nitrate

-- Dichloromethane

-- Dichloromethane (DCM)

-- ethyl Alcohol 95%

-- Ferric nitrate nonahydrate

-- Formaldehyde

-- Hexamine

-- Hydrazine Sulphate

-- Iodyne chrystals

-- Iron boride

-- Iron Filings, Fine

-- Lead dioxide

-- Lead nitrate

-- Litnium hydroxide monohydrate

-- Medrcury(II) acetate

-- Methanol

-- Methyl red 0.05%

-- Methylene blue %

-- MgSO4 Anhyd

-- N2H4NO3

-- Na2CO3

-- NaHCO3

-- NH4Cl

-- Nickel Boride

-- Phenolphtalein solution 1%

-- Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2O5)

-- Potassium Bromide

-- Potassium chromate

-- Potassium Ferrocyanide

-- Potassium Iodide

-- Potassium Permanganate

-- Red Phosphorus

-- Silver Nitrate

-- Sodium Acetate Anhydrous

-- Sodium Amide (NaNH2)

-- Sodium Azide

-- Sodium Cyanide

-- Sodium Fluoride Anhyd. 98%

-- Sodium Nitrite

-- sodium tert-butoxide

-- Sodium Tetraborate

-- Sodium Thiosulfate

-- Stannous chloride dihydrate, ACS

-- Strontium Nitrate, extra pure

-- Urea

- glassware

-- lots of stuff. flasks, beakers, whatever. About 100 units total. High-quality, though Chinese. In fancy boxes.



If there are any hobby chemists that would like to take the chemicals off my hands, please contact me ASAP.

Loptr - 18-4-2019 at 18:09

Your dad had quite a collection. I am sorry to hear of your loss.

There are only a couple things that might cause problemz.

Sodium Azide - poisonous, no throwing it around
Sodium Amide - water sensitive, fire hazard
Potassium tert-butoxide - water sensitive, fire hazard
Phosphorus Pentoxide - water sensitive, fire hazard

You dont want to eat anything, and always wash your hands, but the ones above are really the only ones to take care with, and that's because they are potentially reactive or water sensitive. Yeah, the cyanide salt is poisonous (the copper one not so much), but not too much of a burden. Bleach will help with any spills.

I am in Virginia if you happen to be coming this way.

[Edited on 19-4-2019 by Loptr]

Metacelsus - 19-4-2019 at 04:44

If I were in the US I would definitely be tempted to buy some of these. Alas, I don't think the hassle of international shipping would be worth it.

It might be a good idea for a mod to move this thread to the "Reagents and Apparatus" subforum.

fusso - 19-4-2019 at 04:54

Quote: Originally posted by Metacelsus  
If I were in the US I would definitely be tempted to buy some of these. Alas, I don't think the hassle of international shipping would be worth it.
Same for me:(

Nate - 19-4-2019 at 07:30

I would totally take them off your hands, but I live in the west coast

[Edited on 19-4-2019 by Nate]

Rhodanide - 19-4-2019 at 08:42

I would definitely take the CaC2, NaNH2, P2O5, Hydrazine salts (Sulfate & Nitrate), DCM, Red P, Silver Nitrate, Sodium Cyanide and Stannous Chloride off your hands, but I live in Maine. Not too far away, but we've got all of New England between us and then some. I don't know if you'd ship but message me if you've got an idea.

Nate - 19-4-2019 at 10:05

I'd take the glassware, ammonium dichromate, lithium hydroxide, DCM, methanol, methylene blue, methyl red, formaldehyde, sodium tert-butoxide, copper cyanide, and the potassium iodide.

[Edited on 19-4-2019 by Nate]

DavidJR - 19-4-2019 at 15:39

I'll categorise that list by the major hazards for each substance.

Things that don't present any major hazards:


Poisons:


Oxidizers - keep these away from flammables as contact may result in flames:


Flammables:


Special considerations:


Not sure how to categorise these:

j_sum1 - 19-4-2019 at 17:04

Ahhh.
How come no one in my little corner of the world ever wants to offload a haul like this.

Someone (or ones) will be very happy with this selection. You should easily be able to find someone reasonably local to you to pick everything up: either for personal use or for further distribution.

PirateDocBrown - 19-4-2019 at 21:48

I'd gladly pay the shipping. I'm in Minnesota.

I certainly could use the red phosphorus.

[Edited on 4/20/19 by PirateDocBrown]

Loptr - 20-4-2019 at 16:40

Quote: Originally posted by PirateDocBrown  
I'd gladly pay the shipping. I'm in Minnesota.

I certainly could use the red phosphorus.

[Edited on 4/20/19 by PirateDocBrown]


The OP likely isn't capable of properly shipping these items.

Mr. Rogers - 21-4-2019 at 02:29

I'd def be interested in the tin chloride, and silver nitrate after Rhodanide.



[Edited on 21-4-2019 by Mr. Rogers]

PirateDocBrown - 21-4-2019 at 03:23

Quote: Originally posted by Loptr  
Quote: Originally posted by PirateDocBrown  
I'd gladly pay the shipping. I'm in Minnesota.

I certainly could use the red phosphorus.



The OP likely isn't capable of properly shipping these items.


RP is not terribly dangerous, in a bottle. As long as the truck doesn't catch on fire.

It's WP that would be a hazard.

monolithic - 21-4-2019 at 05:47

Quote: Originally posted by Loptr  
Quote: Originally posted by PirateDocBrown  
I'd gladly pay the shipping. I'm in Minnesota.

I certainly could use the red phosphorus.

[Edited on 4/20/19 by PirateDocBrown]


The OP likely isn't capable of properly shipping these items.


I don't think he's going to sell any of them. I was in contact with him, and now he's not responding to any emails. :(

fusso - 21-4-2019 at 06:23

Maybe email issues, as always, did you check your spam folder etc?

Loptr - 21-4-2019 at 06:47

I cant imagine him splitting this up and selling it. The guys father just passed. He just wants to get rid of it. Honor his original post and conditions.

fusso - 21-4-2019 at 06:57

Quote: Originally posted by Loptr  
I cant imagine him splitting this up and selling it. The guys father just passed. He just wants to get rid of it. Honor his original post and conditions.
Maybe he didn't expect to have so many responses and so decide to sell it instead of giving out for free?

StanleyKodak - 21-4-2019 at 08:49

Hi there! Just following up here.

A few things:
- I appreciate all of your responses. There's also a reddit thread going in /r/chemistry, and people PMing me, so it's bit a bit overwhelming :) Catching up.
- since this original post, I have sorted through all of the chemicals, found 20 not in that original list, and have placed them into containers according to their type (acid, base, whatever) instructed by a professional.
- since I feel like they "safe" now, I'm kinda tempted to keep them... The other night I got really into chemistry videos and I'm at a crossroads deciding whether to keep them or to give/sell them.
- As such - some people have messaged me privately - sorry I hadn't gotten back to you yet. I've been at this crossroads while sorting through the pile of chemicals, and I need a bit more time to process.
- *that* said, if I do keep stuff, I probably wouldn't keep the *really* crazy stuff (except for the pure metals, noted below)
- I've had some chemists over. Apparently the glassware ain't that good. Chinese stuff they weren't impressed with and weren't interested in.

The things not in the original list, btw:
- ammonium carbonate, Hi-AR/ACS
- Boric Acid
- Ca(NO3)2
- Calcium Chloride CaCl2
- Calcium Nitrate Annydrous
- Fe2O3
- ferric chloride anydrous
- Hydrocloric Acid (lol)
- hydrogen peroxide
- KNO3
- L-Absorbic Acid Powder
- magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, acs
- MgSO4 Anhyd
- N2H4NO3 FERT
- NH4CO3 fert
- Niacin
- Nitric Acid
- oxalic acid
- Sodium Benzoate
- Sodium Carbonate Na2CO3
- Sodium Metabisulfite
- Sodium Tetraborate
- Sodium Thiosulfate
- Sulfur

Also, I found a jar with smaller jars in them.
These smaller jars seem to have pure metals:
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Sodium

This all said, if anyone in the Philly suburbs feels like educating someone on Chemistry and seeing a garage full of chemicals, hit me up :)

[Edited on 21-4-2019 by StanleyKodak]

DavidJR - 21-4-2019 at 09:16

Be very careful with the reactive metals, especially potassium.

StanleyKodak - 21-4-2019 at 09:35

I appreciate the warning. They're very very contained, and I plan on *not* opening the containers.

j_sum1 - 21-4-2019 at 14:54

Welcome to amateur chemistry the Hotel California.
You can check out any time you want but you can never leave.

Dr.Bob - 21-4-2019 at 17:11

U2u sent. I know people in the area who are capable of safely dealing with most of that material.

RogueRose - 21-4-2019 at 18:51

Has anyone read the Reddit post of this topic? I'm more referring to the replies. There seems to be some major chemophobia going on over there at a height I wouldn't have thought possible in a dedicated chemistry forum. It seems that some of these people think of these chemicals the same as guns (even if they are in a locked safe they might walk out and shoot someone).

Mr. Rogers - 21-4-2019 at 19:05

That's /r/chemistry if you're not part of the priest class.

RogueRose - 21-4-2019 at 19:16

Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Rogers  
That's /r/chemistry if you're not part of the priest class.


So that is their normal "MO" over there? Much of it read like what you might hear in an 8th grade science class (in public school) when trying to scare kids to be careful with the chemicals (like dihydrogen monoxide, sodium bicarbonate and 5% acetic acid).

I expected more over there but I guess I was a little spoiled by coming here first.

monolithic - 21-4-2019 at 19:22

Quote: Originally posted by RogueRose  
Has anyone read the Reddit post of this topic? I'm more referring to the replies. There seems to be some major chemophobia going on over there at a height I wouldn't have thought possible in a dedicated chemistry forum. It seems that some of these people think of these chemicals the same as guns (even if they are in a locked safe they might walk out and shoot someone).


It's a pretty common attitude among chemists (and the public) outside of ScienceMadness.

Mr. Rogers - 21-4-2019 at 20:05

Quote: Originally posted by RogueRose  
Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Rogers  
That's /r/chemistry if you're not part of the priest class.


So that is their normal "MO" over there? Much of it read like what you might hear in an 8th grade science class (in public school) when trying to scare kids to be careful with the chemicals (like dihydrogen monoxide, sodium bicarbonate and 5% acetic acid).

I expected more over there but I guess I was a little spoiled by coming here first.


These are 13th graders, so all the safety lectures/scared straight stuff are still fresh in their heads.

[Edited on 22-4-2019 by Mr. Rogers]

happyfooddance - 22-4-2019 at 13:59

Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Rogers  

These are 13th graders, so all the safety lectures/scared straight stuff are still fresh in their heads.


Yes, that is definitely their deal. See here for another good analysis: http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=65412&...

fusso - 23-4-2019 at 21:32

Isn't red P illegal in US? How would you ship it without being found?

Loptr - 24-4-2019 at 07:50

Quote: Originally posted by fusso  
Isn't red P illegal in US? How would you ship it without being found?


Nope, not illegal to have red phosphorus in the USA.

Might cause someone to give you a second look, though, or maybe a visit. I cant imagine the police wouldnt get involved.

fusso - 24-4-2019 at 07:56

If it's legal why would one get a visit from the police?

Loptr - 24-4-2019 at 10:12

Quote: Originally posted by fusso  
If it's legal why would one get a visit from the police?


Because while you may be doing nothing wrong, the fact that it is used by some to make meth has elevated its level of scrutiny. It's also not common for someone to have it, so in their minds you've already triggered an alert that needs to be investigated. I can pretty much guarantee you that if red phosphorus is intercepted by the authorities that you should expect some sort of visit, which may even be friendly, and non-accusatory.

Also, I am not sure of the legality of importing Listed chemicals. I think importation might be trouble, so they will likely want to know where you got it. If its domestic, then you are supposed to be in some sort of paper trail.

But you are allowed to have it.

[Edited on 24-4-2019 by Loptr]

clearly_not_atara - 24-4-2019 at 18:47

Quote: Originally posted by fusso  
If it's legal why would one get a visit from the police?

Anyone who believes this board is for drug chemists (looking at you, JJay) need only refer to this post to realize that most of us haven't heard of "probable cause".

monolithic - 24-4-2019 at 19:29

Quote: Originally posted by clearly_not_atara  
Quote: Originally posted by fusso  
If it's legal why would one get a visit from the police?

Anyone who believes this board is for drug chemists (looking at you, JJay) need only refer to this post to realize that most of us haven't heard of "probable cause".


Is that why he no longer posts here?

j_sum1 - 24-4-2019 at 20:28

Quote:
Is that why he no longer posts here?

No. He had a conflict with another member and decided to resolve it by departing. A shame really. The issue was not large: certainly not irreconcilable. And his contribution is missed.

Dr.Bob - 28-4-2019 at 18:46

Getting back to the original post, if you decide that you want to find a proper home for any of these, please reply to someone or close the post if not. But a few of those chemicals are seriously hazardous, like the potassium, especially if it is old and crusty. And some may have a small value, but mostly to pyros. There are lots of them here in the energetics section of the forum, or a few people here. I happen to know a few in Philly, who can safely deal with them all. Just be aware than legally shipping most of the chemicals on the list will require expertise and money. I would only handle them with personal transport, as most cannot be shipped by USPS at all, and many others require special packaging and labeling for UPS/FedEx.

StanleyKodak - 1-10-2019 at 10:35

:wave:

Long story short:
- I ghosted here for a bit, thinking I'd spend more time doing chemistry before I part with the fun stuff
- I did quite a few experiments at home (safe-ish ones)
- I'm moving into a home (few months down the line) that won't have the space/logistics to perform fun chemistry
- I've decided to get rid of all chemicals, and keep all equipment.

If you're in the Philly (really Exton) area and want a bunch of chemicals for free, please contact me. See earlier posts (incl. OP) for context - there's a lot.
Looking to get rid of everything in the next two weeks.

[Edited on 1-10-2019 by StanleyKodak]

njl - 9-1-2021 at 16:13

Missed the deal of a lifetime :(