Amphetamine synthesis from P2NP via Al/Hg (video)

[Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton]

In my experience, aluminum foil is the best form of aluminum for amalgam. The main condition is that it does not contain any foreign components, only 99.9% Al. Powder and granules of aluminum are also suitable, but they are recommended to be taken in larger quantities for the reaction and the yield will not be as good as when using foil.

 

[waltjr5858]

I'm not sure 99.9% foil exists. We'll it does and i believe it's labeled 4n and 5n aluminum. Which a roll of that stuff cost at least 2 to 3 hundred possibly more... anything on Amazon or ebay is going to be 98.5 at best like regular renyalds wrap

 

[NieDoswiadczony]

and if I use 99% acetic acid and do not add water, will the reaction be bad?

 

[golab071]

The aluminum amalgam needs some water to function effectively because the reaction Al + H⁺ → H₂ proceeds faster in the presence of water.

In a completely anhydrous environment of IPA + 99% acetic acid, the reaction may slow down or not start at all.
Have you already tried carrying out the reaction? How’s it going?

 

[nofuckups]

how much water exactly? Isn't the leftover water on foil after rinsing sufficient? I use >99% GAA and IPA so I'm wondering if i should add some water to this solution. For a 10g scale, what quanity of water should be added if any? Do we actually need to add water if the foil is wet?

 

[NieDoswiadczony]

after the reaction of Al with P2np I added NaOH and 2 layers separated but I did not reach pH 12, can I add NaOH solution again to reach pH 12?

 

[GhostChemist]

Yes, you can add an additional portion of NaOH