Sciencemadness Discussion Board

possible free ethanol sample

dactyl - 30-4-2018 at 12:34

I saw this site https://710spirits.com/ a week ago and found they offered free 1 L samples of ethanol.

I filled out the form and was e-mailed for the purpose of contacting a manager.
The site had no mention of residential addresses in their terms and conditions, I believe.

Am I likely correct that shipping will likely be contingent on a commercial addresses's availability?

Dr.Bob - 30-4-2018 at 12:59

They sell a mixture of ethanol and n-heptane (as the denaturing agent). They likely distill off together enough that the ATF has allowed it as a specialty denaurant. So it is not pure ethanol, but a denatured mixture, but theoretically all volatile. Might be good for extracting essential oils and other biologicals, but not so good to drink. But likely would work in many reactions where ethanol is used, as n-heptane is pretty inert to most chemistry. Process plants use n-heptane a lot, due to its low flash point and lower toxicity than hexane. But it still smells bad to me.

For comparison, e-85 is 85% ethanol with 15% gasoline (mostly isooctanes and aromatics, but some other crap, detergents, stabilzers, catalysts, etc is present) is sold for $3/gallon in my area, so not a real bargain, but maybe pure enough to use in extractions. You can buy 200 proof ethanol from Aaper for about $5/gallon if you have a ATF usage license for research uses. That is still much better, but I am guessing that the ATF doesn't grant them to many cannabis extraction places.

[Edited on 30-4-2018 by Dr.Bob]

XeonTheMGPony - 30-4-2018 at 19:31

Bioflame fuel for alcohol stoves is mostly pure ethanol with some ethyl acetate in it, I reflux over an excess of sodium hydroxide then distill getting very high yield of pure ethanol that is dry, the resulting sodium acetate I use for my acetic acid runs

VSEPR_VOID - 30-4-2018 at 20:36

I did the same and requested a sample.

PirateDocBrown - 1-5-2018 at 08:47

Quote: Originally posted by XeonTheMGPony  
Bioflame fuel for alcohol stoves is mostly pure ethanol with some ethyl acetate in it, I reflux over an excess of sodium hydroxide then distill getting very high yield of pure ethanol that is dry, the resulting sodium acetate I use for my acetic acid runs


I do pretty much exactly the same thing, then use K2CO3 to get most of the remaining water.

VSEPR_VOID - 1-5-2018 at 13:52

They just shipped my free sample!
95.3% 200 proof Ethanol
4.7% n-heptane

dactyl - 2-5-2018 at 13:52

@VSEPR_VOID
Did they ask about whether it was shipped to a business or not?

VSEPR_VOID - 2-5-2018 at 20:07

No, they were okay with a residential address.

Hegi - 3-5-2018 at 02:02

Quote: Originally posted by VSEPR_VOID  
They just shipped my free sample!
95.3% 200 proof Ethanol
4.7% n-heptane


Very interesting. They do not however state there is heptane in their product? They declare it is PURE ethanol. So they are cheating somehow. Still good to obtain one liter of extraction reagent for amateur chemists.

The Volatile Chemist - 3-5-2018 at 10:17

What did you all provide for the company name? Sadly I actually am a sole proprietorship but the company name is just my name, because Schedule C's yada yada yada...

Dr.Bob - 3-5-2018 at 11:47

Quote: Originally posted by Hegi  
Quote: Originally posted by VSEPR_VOID  
They just shipped my free sample!
95.3% 200 proof Ethanol
4.7% n-heptane


Very interesting. They do not however state there is heptane in their product? They declare it is PURE ethanol. So they are cheating somehow. Still good to obtain one liter of extraction reagent for amateur chemists.


The site does say (in small print) that the ethanol is denatured with a volatile solvent, and they later say it is heptane in the small print. It is for extractions, not drinking, and the solvent must be evaporated very carefully to remove the heptane from it.

TheNerdyFarmer - 3-5-2018 at 13:59

I made a request and set my business as residential. They called and we discussed some things over the phone. I said that I wanted it for essential oil extraction. I explained my home setup but they said that since I did not have a commercial lab (to remove residual heptane from product) the would not give it to me.

Brom - 3-5-2018 at 14:18

I ordered a free sample. They called me earlier this afternoon and didn't even ask what purpose I needed it for. I told them that I use diesel brand 95% ethanol from the liquor store currently but the 5% water is a problem. I did not say what I use it for. They mentioned the heptane and I told them I can apply vacuum to remove any traces no problem. I already received confirmation of shipping. I used my business name but am getting it sent to my residence. They seem like nice people and it looks like they are affiliated with rocky mountain reagents. I looked at the rocky mountain reagents web page and they have a lot of useful chems.

VSEPR_VOID - 4-5-2018 at 12:08

I said I am evaluating it for use at a laboratory (which I technically is true). If I like it I will be recommending it to some places I know.

Brom - 5-5-2018 at 11:13

I received my sample today. If this company is so responsive and friendly for a free sample I can imagine they would be really good with actual orders. If they sell the chemicals listed at rocky mountain reagents they could be a good source. I will be looking into this.

arkoma - 5-5-2018 at 16:21

This was a GREAT tip. Told the young man I am after mitragynine and therefore needed food grade solvent, which is true. Motorcycle wreck=kratom=relief.

dactyl - 5-5-2018 at 21:29


@TheVolatileChemist

I simply entered a three letter abbreviation with LLC. as the company name.

I can confirm that I was not asked for specifying type of address when called and was told they would ship. I received a tracking number the next day.

mayko - 10-5-2018 at 14:14

My liter showed up today, definitely going to bookmark these folks

VSEPR_VOID - 10-5-2018 at 16:24

I got my liter as well. I wish they sold it in sizes other than a gallon. I wonder if I could get another liter sent to my place of work...