Plain/discrete outer cardboard packaging.

Hey, I've finally found someone who lives in the UK (no disrespect to all you US/Canada residents- you're a great bunch! ).

Gary,

I, too, have been using drain cleaner for my sulfuric acid. More often than not, it is highly coloured with a bright red or purple dye

I think they also add corrosion inhibitors to it to prevent the acid from eating through metal plumbing. If I recall correctly, there is an inhibitor called Rodine 130, which is 1,3 DIETHYLTHIOUREA. This explains why I find elemental sulfur in the bottom of the reaction vessel and can smell hydrogen sulfide (stinky rotten egg smell!) when I have used a particular brand of drain cleaner in my reactions: look at the MSDS for rodine 130 and you'll see that the decomposition products are: OXIDES OF CARBON AND SULFUR.

I don't think that these corrosion inhibitors will interfere too much with reactions, except for when you are preparing metal sulphate salts by the metal+acid route. I think, though, if you heat the acid at high temperatures for prolonged periods, these thiourea-based corrosion inhibitors should decompose.

http://hazard.com/msds/f2/bmn/bmnwv.html

Mate, stay away from chemical companies- they are more trouble than they are worth. Besides, drain cleaner sulfuric acid is FAR CHEAPER than any sulfuric from a chemical supply company.

Hope this helps!

Quote: Originally posted by bbartlog

Since hazmat stickers are legally required for H2SO4, doing this would be illegal (and also irresponsible; I am all for ignoring stupid laws, but this is not one of them). You know, they have those stickers for a reason - when someone at the post office screws up and squashes the package, it's nice if they have some indication that they're dealing with face-melting acid and not, say, shampoo. Also, the word you are looking for is 'discreet'. 'Discrete' packaging would be I guess individual wrapping?

Oops! Yes, I meant DISCREET. But, you have to admit that it IS an easy mistake to make (I am not dumb)

Discrete= Distinct or separate (as in discrete, quantized energy levels).
Discreet= To be careful or modest; not to attract too much attention.

With regards to my query about DISCREET outer packaging, I was initially under the impression that it was only MANDATORY for chemical suppliers to put warning labels on the INNER receptacles holding the chemical, and that labelling needn't be applied to the cardboard OUTER packaging. Anyway, I am going to order reagent-grade sulphuric, regardless of whether the outer packaging sports a huge "Oh, look at me, I'm toxic and corrosive" or not. I am fed-up of drain cleaner messing up my syntheses
Real chemists use proper reagents!

Quote: Originally posted by Sheddist

Hey, I've finally found someone who lives in the UK (no disrespect to all you US/Canada residents- you're a great bunch! ). Gary, I, too, have been using drain cleaner for my sulfuric acid. More often than not, it is highly coloured with a bright red or purple dye I think they also add corrosion inhibitors to it to prevent the acid from eating through metal plumbing. If I recall correctly, there is an inhibitor called Rodine 130, which is 1,3 DIETHYLTHIOUREA. This explains why I find elemental sulfur in the bottom of the reaction vessel and can smell hydrogen sulfide (stinky rotten egg smell!) when I have used a particular brand of drain cleaner in my reactions: look at the MSDS for rodine 130 and you'll see that the decomposition products are: OXIDES OF CARBON AND SULFUR. I don't think that these corrosion inhibitors will interfere too much with reactions, except for when you are preparing metal sulphate salts by the metal+acid route. I think, though, if you heat the acid at high temperatures for prolonged periods, these thiourea-based corrosion inhibitors should decompose. http://hazard.com/msds/f2/bmn/bmnwv.html Mate, stay away from chemical companies- they are more trouble than they are worth. Besides, drain cleaner sulfuric acid is FAR CHEAPER than any sulfuric from a chemical supply company. Hope this helps!

Stickers are a must for safety reasons so you won't find anyone willing to do this. Why not have the package shipped to a friend? I'm assuming you live with your parents because if it was a roommate it really wouldn't be any of their business. If your parents aren't ok with you doing chemistry at their house you probably shouldn't. Not worth getting in trouble over, you'll be out on your own soon enough

Quote: Originally posted by bbartlog

Since hazmat stickers are legally required for H2SO4, doing this would be illegal (and also irresponsible; I am all for ignoring stupid laws, but this is not one of them). You know, they have those stickers for a reason - when someone at the post office screws up and squashes the package, it's nice if they have some indication that they're dealing with face-melting acid and not, say, shampoo.

Biostain to the rescue!

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See this??? He's accusing moi of being a shill!!! ()

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Nile.com

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