Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Free chemicals for SM members in Australia

Free chemicals for SM members in Australia

j_sum1 - 21-5-2023 at 03:40

Hi all.
Yes you read that right. I have some stuff to give away for free.

Back story first.

Lion850 has been forced to down-size his lab for a bit. Changes to his work situation mean that he just isn't getting time in the lab -- or much time on the board. He has decided to give away a whole lot of his chemicals rather than have them sit around for an indefinite period doing nothing. I spent some time with him today and returned with boxes full of all sorts of goodies -- certainly in excess of what I can use.

So, anything that I do not have a short-term use for and which can be shipped, i will post to this thread. There is a lot there so I will not do it all at once. Anything that appeals to you, send me a message and it is yours for the cost of shipping.

A couple of caveats.

Preference is given to members who have been around a while or are reasonably active -- at least for the more hazardous items. I do not want to be shipping some of the more feisty reagents to complete strangers.

Contact me via u2u and we can organise payment for shipping and packaging. I know there is an additional cost involved, but Paypal is likely to be the most convenient. We can play that one by ear.

If there is something in particular that you are after, do ask. There is a bit of variety here. I won't have time to sort and list in one hit but it makes sense to combine items for shipping purposes.

I would prefer to not be splitting containers.

Most containers are half full or more. I can kind of estimate weights if you want.

I will package and post after shipping costs have come through. Packing is likely to happen on weekends and posting early the following week. So just be a bit patient.

if you are close enough to me for physical pick up or for me to drop off, then we can organise something. There are some acids for example that I probably do not want to send through the post. I know of only one other active member in SE Queensland but there may be more.

j_sum1 - 21-5-2023 at 03:46

Here is the first round:

Sodium borohydride. the tin is less than half full. the other container hardly touched.
Potassium permanganate estimated 500g
Tungstic acid - mass with container is 68g
tert butanol 500ml
chromium trioxide. the smaller container is less than half full.

[Edited on 21-5-2023 by j_sum1]

B(a)P - 21-5-2023 at 12:23

Sorry to hear that your chemistry hobby has to take a back seat for a while Lion850. I hope it is a new and exciting change from a work perspective. I have sent a U2U about the sodium borohydride and chromium trioxide. Lion850 I will happily return anything that is unused when you have the time and space again. Best of luck with the new role.

j_sum1 - 21-5-2023 at 12:40

Borohydride, tungstic acid and chromium trioxide are claimed.

More items coming...

j_sum1 - 21-5-2023 at 22:45

Next round…

Sodium nitrite -- nearly full 500g
Boric acid approx 1kg
Lead bromide full bottle
Cerium oxide full bottle
Antimony oxide nanopowder 100g
Lithium metal foil strips, significant oxidation but still plenty of metal there
Lithium carbonate approx 100g
Potassium chromate 400g left. Container partly perished.
Copper nitrate 900g

j_sum1 - 22-5-2023 at 21:26

Potassium chromate, lithium and litgium carbonate are claimed.

I will package up some of the less exotic, more useful chems as a package suitable for newbies or beginning a lab. If you know of anyone who might be interested in that, direct them here or answer on their behalf. It will include some conc HNO3 and conc H2SO4.

j_sum1 - 26-5-2023 at 21:06

Still plenty left.
Sharp eyes might notice some items in this latest list that appeal to them.
Weights are estimated contents of the containers.

Ammonium thiocyanate – 350g
Lead nitrate – 250g
Bismuth nitrate – 200g
Strontium chloride – 250g
Manganese chloride – 350g
Lead dioxide – 500g
Nickel nitrate – 250g

j_sum1 - 27-5-2023 at 23:39

Sodium nitrite
Ammonium thiocyanate
Lead dioxide
and tert-Butanol

Are all claimed.

j_sum1 - 28-5-2023 at 17:38

strontium chloride, manganese chloride, lead nitrate and nickel nitrate are claimed.

I don't know about anyone else, but this is fun!

Lion850 - 28-5-2023 at 19:19

Happy to see the stuff will get some good use

arkoma - 28-5-2023 at 22:03

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

I don't know about anyone else, but this is fun!

This is what makes this a great place.......we tend to have FUN

j_sum1 - 20-6-2023 at 23:56

Couple of things.

1. Thanks for your patience, those of you who are waiting for me to mail out stuff. It has been assessment season and I have been snowed under. School holiday starts next week and I will get lab stuff done then.

2. Still plenty more. I will take another photo soon(ish). In the meantime, if you wish to claim anything that is not already taken, send a u2u.

3. There are some acids available that I don't want to post. I did have some interest from someone reasonably local, but I have not heard back. If you are in SE Queensland and may be interested in a pick up or drop off, send a u2u and we can perhaps organise something.

J.

Raid - 24-6-2023 at 11:12

Is this only for people in Australia?

j_sum1 - 24-6-2023 at 14:22

Quote: Originally posted by Raid

Is this only for people in Australia?

International postage will be prohibitively expensive in my experience.
Is there something in particular you wanted?

fx-991ex - 24-6-2023 at 17:04

Too bad i saw it too late, nitrite and nickel nitrate are already gone and am in North America.
Anyway am to much a pussy to have any chem go through customs.

[Edited on 25-6-2023 by fx-991ex]

j_sum1 - 24-6-2023 at 18:53

There is more to come.
I am out of town at the moment, but will hopfully get a chance to tidy the lab and take more photos in 24 hours.

Most of the more exciting goodies in the first box have been listed. What remains is mostly more routine inorganics.

In a second box is things I want for myself. But a lot of these I will split and make available.

Shipping internationally from here is very expensive. And Aus Post keeps raising their rates. It will likely make no sense economically to ship overseas. And that is before considering the additional requirements that come with shipping chemicals.
That said, it may be sensible to package up small quantities of up to 50g and send in an envelope. If you see something you want then I can look into it.

j_sum1 - 26-6-2023 at 16:02

Potassium carbonate 900g
Ammonium carbonate 400g
Potassium chloride 500g
Sodium chloride 200g
Chromium acetate ~50g
Chromium nitrate nonahydrate ~80g

Sodium sulfite 200g
Sodium dithionate 700g
Potassium bromate 500g
Potassium bromide 300g

Potassium antimony tartrate ~30g
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 300g and 500g
Potassium oxalate 400g
Lead acetate 400g

j_sum1 - 26-6-2023 at 22:35

Basic cobalt carbonate ~500g
Sodium metasilicate ~500g
Iron(III)phosphate I am going to guess 200g.
Ammonium thiocyanate 25g
Anhydrous sodium sulfate 100g

Thiourea 200g
Sodium gluconate 30g
Calcium gluconate 250g. Happy to repackage that in a smaller container if it makes for easier postage.

Amino acid package:
Cystine 400g
Aspartic acid (3 containers) probably about 500g all up
Glycine ~80g
Beta Alanine 150g [edited]

And, I think that's it for now.
I can finally see the floor in my lab.

[Edited on 27-6-2023 by j_sum1]

[Edited on 27-6-2023 by j_sum1]

j_sum1 - 27-6-2023 at 04:05

Amino acids and Ca gluconate have been allocated.

Texium - 27-6-2023 at 08:04

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

Alanine 150g

Just want to point out that the beta-alanine pictured is not the same thing as alanine: it is an achiral constitutional isomer, with the amine attached to the beta carbon rather than the alpha.

j_sum1 - 27-6-2023 at 12:57

Thanks Tex. I should have tweaked to that.

j_sum1 - 27-6-2023 at 14:04

Potassium chloride, potassium bromate and thiourea are gone.

averageaussie - 30-7-2023 at 15:36

how long will these offers be up for?

j_sum1 - 30-7-2023 at 17:40

Thanks averageaussie. I was going to bump this.

Still lots available, but the more exciting things (IMO) are gone. I am keen to clear the space in my garage.
You can find out what is left by careful reading of the thread. But I will update with a list as soon as I get a chance.

I packaged and posted some items last week and I have been informed that they have arrived. Looking at my schedule it will be Saturday before I can do more packaging. If you send requests through then I will get on to it in a couple of days. And if I am packaging, I am throwing in some extra goodies -- as an incentive to help me clear some floor space.

j_sum1 - 18-8-2023 at 20:07

Thanks for the steady enquiries.
Here is the list of all that remains. I am keen to get it off my hands. If you want to take the whole lot I will throw in a little bit of glassware as well.

Bismuth nitrate – 200g

Copper nitrate 900g

Potassium permanganate estimated 500g

Basic cobalt carbonate ~500g

Chromium nitrate nonahydrate ~80g

Anhydrous sodium sulfate 100g

Cerium oxide approx 80g

Boric acid approx 1kg

Lead bromide approx 100g

Sodium chloride 200g

Aspartic acid

Sodium metasilicate ~500g

Chromium acetate ~50g

Sodium dithionate 700g

Potassium ferricyanide ~40g

Lead acetate 400g

Sodium sulfite 200g

averageaussie - 21-8-2023 at 15:14

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

Thanks for the steady enquiries.
Here is the list of all that remains. I am keen to get it off my hands. If you want to take the whole lot I will throw in a little bit of glassware as well.

Bismuth nitrate – 200g

Copper nitrate 900g

Potassium permanganate estimated 500g

Basic cobalt carbonate ~500g

Chromium nitrate nonahydrate ~80g

Anhydrous sodium sulfate 100g

Cerium oxide approx 80g

Boric acid approx 1kg

Lead bromide approx 100g

Sodium chloride 200g

Aspartic acid

Sodium metasilicate ~500g

Chromium acetate ~50g

Sodium dithionate 700g

Potassium ferricyanide ~40g

Lead acetate 400g

Sodium sulfite 200g

I really want some bismuth nitrate to get the metal (as a fun project), but I doubt my parents would be to happy with random chemicals in the house, or me using them to make a mystery metal

B(a)P - 21-8-2023 at 16:04

Quote: Originally posted by averageaussie

I really want some bismuth nitrate to get the metal (as a fun project), but I doubt my parents would be to happy with random chemicals in the house, or me using them to make a mystery metal

Why don't you try explaining to them what you are proposing to do. Make sure you show them you know what you are doing and that you can do it safely. Make it clear that they are not random chemicals, but chemical that you know about, know how to use responsible and know how to store safely. You might be surprised, I would be very supportive if my children approached me with this project.

averageaussie - 21-8-2023 at 16:54

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P

The main issue is it's a nitrate - both my parents know that they can be used to fuel a fire or make explosives, and I have a reputation for being a bit of a firebug. I much as I want to try, I already know the answer will be no.

I don't even own any real chemistry equipment, not that any is needed. dissolving the nitrate in some water and adding foil should be enough to reduce the bismuth to a metal, and this can be done in a glass container.

there isn't much in the name of data when it comes to bismuth(III) nitrate, the only real dangers for it are general dangers (irritant like every other chemical in existence, heavy metal because bismuth, fire because nitrate)
If my parents see either the fire or poison hazard, it's an immediate no most likely

either way, probably better off just letting someone with more experience (and any safety equipment) have it.

B(a)P - 21-8-2023 at 18:38

Quote: Originally posted by averageaussie

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P

Another option might be to try it at school, you could suggest it for an experiment, assuming you currently take science of some form.

averageaussie - 21-8-2023 at 19:23

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P

Quote: Originally posted by averageaussie

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P

Another option might be to try it at school, you could suggest it for an experiment, assuming you currently take science of some form.

Considering that we're doing bio at the moment, not a chance.

again, still better off someone with any amount of experience have any of these chemicals, not a dumbass like me.

j_sum1 - 21-8-2023 at 20:48

Well, I would love to see the Bi(NO3)3 go to a good home.
I appreciate your parents' position. It would be good if there was some kind of compromise that they would agree to.

One option might be to show them this thread and then I send you 5g as a proof of concept. You can demonstrate what you intend to do.

Another option may be for me to convert it to another salt. (Although I confess that now that I have a good store of HNO3, I have little appetite for making it. And any other conversion seems frankly like a waste.)

Maybe I can interest you in something else on the list. (KMNO4 might raise similar objections, but then again, maybe not.)

[Edit]
You could tell them that boric acid kills roaches...

[Edited on 22-8-2023 by j_sum1]

averageaussie - 21-8-2023 at 23:27

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

Well, I would love to see the Bi(NO3)3 go to a good home.
I appreciate your parents' position. It would be good if there was some kind of compromise that they would agree to.

One option might be to show them this thread and then I send you 5g as a proof of concept. You can demonstrate what you intend to do.

Another option may be for me to convert it to another salt. (Although I confess that now that I have a good store of HNO3, I have little appetite for making it. And any other conversion seems frankly like a waste.)

Maybe I can interest you in something else on the list. (KMNO4 might raise similar objections, but then again, maybe not.)

[Edit]
You could tell them that boric acid kills roaches...

[Edited on 22-8-2023 by j_sum1]

While I do appreciate the offer, I don't actually own any chemistry equipment, and it is better if the chemicals go to someone who actually has any level of experience (the most dangerous thing I've ever done in regards to chemistry is equivalent to boiling water in a kettle, but because it had an open flame from a bunsen burner = dangerous and we need fire extinguishers and safety glasses for FUCKING WATER, for some stupid reason. i've also done a little bit of redox chemistry, but literally me and a teacher who has since left school know, not even the head of chemistry.) that is to say I have very little experience with chemistry.

for context on how strict our school is with chemistry, gallium is seniors only(usually 17-18 years old). and I'm not even meant to know that they have restrictions for what chemicals certain students can use, since the chemical storeroom is strictly teachers only.
On Top of that, they have a jar of manganese sulfate from the 1950's (seriously), and it has been opened like twice, once to test the purity and another time to show me what it looks like, only at special request. so yeah, no chemistry at our school. only boiling water and dilute acid.

If I can get into chemistry more later on in life, I will. but at the moment no safety equipment or equipment in general = no.

I guess I'm just worried that I will lose my passion for chemistry because of how restricted it is. this forum is honestly the only thing that is keeping me going, and I really dont want to lose it.

so nah, dont worry.

[Edit]
sorry for the mega long post, just wanted to vent. I understand if you want it deleted.

[Edited on 22-8-2023 by averageaussie]

averageaussie - 23-8-2023 at 15:36

just did some digging and found out bismuth nitrate is quickly hydrolysed to form an insoluble salt, so unless anyone has any ideas, there goes that idea I guess.

Sorry for the repetitive posting, will understand if mods want my posts gone. I know how much you dislike spammers.

[Edited on 24-8-2023 by averageaussie]

j_sum1 - 23-8-2023 at 19:24

Nah. Not spamming or trolling. Just learning -- and dealing with certain constraints.,

Bismuth is a bit of fun. I do wish I could accommodate you somehow.
But that is not the only thing on the list that you could have fun with.
I am more than happy to send you something. Why don't you figure out what will work best, have a chat with your folks, and send me a U2U.

averageaussie - 24-8-2023 at 02:04

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

Nah. Not spamming or trolling. Just learning -- and dealing with certain constraints.,

Bismuth is a bit of fun. I do wish I could accommodate you somehow.
But that is not the only thing on the list that you could have fun with.
I am more than happy to send you something. Why don't you figure out what will work best, have a chat with your folks, and send me a U2U.

don't worry about accommodating me, not worth your effort. it's better that the chemicals go to someone with experience anyways. thanks for everything.

j_sum1 - 31-8-2023 at 17:21

Still stuff left.
I am keen to box it up and post it off.
There are a couple of bonus bits of glassware to throw in there too.

Anyone want to stock up their lab with a few random things?

j_sum1 - 24-9-2023 at 22:59

Everything allocated. One delivery and one trip to the post office to go.

A big thanks to Lion850 for making all of this available. I think everything now has a good home.

Thread is now closed and un-stickied.