DalisAndy
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Borax to Boric acid
I wanted to make some trieythl borate for Halloween. (Yes I'm early) I was going preform electrolysis on an aqueous solution of borax. I know sodium
hydroxide and boric acid. How the hell can I isolate the boric acid and keep it from reacting to the hydroxide
Elements Collected: 19/81 (Excluding all radioactive, using placecard for those)
Any tips or good sources are welcome.
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j_sum1
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AFAIK, the hydroxide is not a problem. Someone will be quick to correct me if I am in error here.
The process is simple. Borax is sparingy soluble in water so you need a bucket for any appreciable yield. Dissolve in water. Add HCl and your
boric acid will drop out as a fine precipitate. Allow to settle (it will take some time). Decant. Dry.
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fluorescence
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You can use Borax for that effect, too. I always do my triethylborate with borax and add a bit more Sulphuric Acid.
The acid should convert it to Boric Acid and catalyse the reaction. It alwys worked for me.
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DalisAndy
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Only strong acids right? I don't have any strong one handy ATM
Elements Collected: 19/81 (Excluding all radioactive, using placecard for those)
Any tips or good sources are welcome.
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blogfast25
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Any acid that is stronger than boric acid and that's just about any, will work. Vinegar will work but because it's fairly weak (concentration) the
reaction may take a while to complete.
Citric and oxalic acid will also work.
Which is not to say that HCl and H2SO4 aren't to be preferred, they are.
[Edited on 24-8-2015 by blogfast25]
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DalisAndy
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Oh and as a side question. Would hydrogen peroxide cause a problem? I have the potassium salt of Caro's Acid. That would generate sulfuric acid.
Plus other stuff
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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It won't generate sulfuric acid. Rather, it will generate potassium bisulfate, which should still work fine in this reaction. The hydrogen peroxide
present shouldn't matter.
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