Introduction
How to buy reagents? In this topic, I'll consider the theme of Watched chemicals and where you can buy them without any attention from drug police department of your country. There are some information such as boiling point, melting point ant etc. about popular and available solvents and other reagents. Also, some information about trade names and forms. Here you can find lists of Watched substances in US and EU. I would really appreciate if BB forum members add my topic with helpful information about searching these substances, contained in any non-controlled trademark.
Watched chemicals list in USA*
Special Surveillance List of Chemicals, Products, Materials and Equipment Used in the Clandestine Production of Controlled Substances or Listed ChemicalsWatched chemicals list in EU*
Substances and classifications table (31/10/2008)*The information in the lists may be outdated, the lists are constantly updated.
Table of main precursors
I leave it up to you to judge how you may approach ordering these chems. My personal take on all this is that anyone, two or possibly three of these chems ordered together would not be suspicious unless they were ordered in very large amounts, or they were known to have specific uses when ordered together. Finally, it is worth noting that someone, somewhere, once said he hoped the government would place every chemical under suspicion or restriction. I agree because it would negate its own intentions. And let me tell that Watched Chemical List is huge! It is, in fact, prohibitively huge. And the bigger it gets, the sillier and more useless it becomes.
Reference and general information
Terms:"bp" = boiling point (or boiling fraction in some cases), note: boiling points are slightly lower at high altitudes
"°C" = degrees centigrade
"dens" = density (in grams per ml unless otherwise specified)
"dis:" = what it dissolves
"F" = degrees Fahrenheit
"LD50" = (lethal dose 50%) dosage at which 50% of test subjects (rats, dogs, etc.) died.
"mis" = miscible with
"mp" = melting point
"otc:" = (over-the-counter) where to find it, etc.
"pol:" = polarity ( > = more polar than, < = less polar than )
"prop:" = physical properties
"sol:" = what it is soluble in
"tox:" = data on toxicity. if not listed, don't assume it is safe!
"uses:" = common uses. this is nice to know when you are asking a store clerk to help you find it.
Solvents:
- prop: mp -94.6 °C, bp 56.48 °C, dens 0.80
- dis: water solubles, oils; mls: water
- pol: polar?/moderately polar?
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 9750 mg/kg
- uses: thinning fiberglass resins, dissolving 2 part epoxies,
- cleaning brushes and tools used with resins or epoxies, cleaning greasy stuff
- otc: some drug stores (pure, small quantities, expensive), in hardware stores as solvent for lacquer;
- uses: dissolving fats, waxes, etc.
- caution: flammable, reacts with some solvents
- note: acetone is also used in fingernail polish remover, but it is mixed with water, fragrance, etc.
- note: may react with some alkaloids, may extract more organic compounds than is desirable
- prop: mp 19 °C, bp 189 C, dens 1.10
- mis: water, chloroform, acetone
- pol: polar
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 7060 mg/kg
- otc: pharmacy
- uses: an important polar aprotic solvent that dissolves both polar and nonpolar compounds; dissolving glues, paints, etc.
- prop: bp -0.5 °C;
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- sol: ether, alcohol, water
- otc: anywhere (butane cigarette lighters)
- uses: lighter fuel, butane torches, curling irons (yes, really)
- caution: extremely flammable
- note: if you use this, you will have to work with sub-freezing temperatures or at least higher pressures like a small jar with a tight lid (higher pressures tend to raise boiling points thus improving solvent capabilities). the advantage is that you could boil it off at room temperature!
- prop: mp aprox -29 °C, bp aprox 174 °C;
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: see kerosene, gasoline
- caution: flammable
- prop: bp 35 C
- dis: oils, etc.
- pol: moderately polar (< water, alcohols; > petroleum distillates and toluene)
- tox: moderate oral toxicity, low inhalation toxicity, oral LD50 (rat) 1700 mg/kg, oral LD50 (human) 420 mg/kg
- otc: found in automobile starter fluid
- caution: very flammable, can form explosive peroxides with prolonged exposure to air
- note: this is the ether that was used extensively as an anesthetic a few years back
- prop: bp 78.32 °C, dens 0.79
- dis: water solubles, oils; mls water
- pol: polar? / moderately polar? (< water; > isopropanol)
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 21,000 mg/kg
- otc: liquor store (Everclear, 95%), pharmacy
- uses: party, party, party!
- caution: flammable
- note: there have been reports of people using denatured alcohol as a solvent. This may be ok if it is denatured only with something that will be eliminated when the solvent is boiled off (e.g. with methyl alcohol). If you don't think you can eliminate the denaturant, then don't use denatured alcohol!
- prop: bp 175-325 °C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: oral LD50 (rat, rabbit) 28,000 mg/kg, oral toxicity is low, see also petroleum distillates
- otc: fuel distributors, hardware stores
- caution: flammable
- uses: stoves, heaters, lamps
- note: ultrasene is deodorized kerosene
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: found in starting fluid and some naphthas
- caution: highly flammable
- prop: bp aprox 69 °C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: found in automobile starting fluid and some naphthas
- caution: highly flammable
- prop: mp -89 °C, bp 80.3 °C, dens 0.79
- dis: water solubles, oils; mls water
- pol: polar? (hydrogen bonded?), ( < ethanol; >> diethyl ether )
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 5,840 mg/kg
- otc: automotive stores (fuel dryer, 99.9%)
- caution: flammable
- note: rubbing alcohol is usually only 70% alcohol, and 30% water
- prop: bp 64.8 °C, dens 0.79
- dis: water solubles, oils; mls water
- pol: moderately polar? (hydrogen bonded), (< water, > diethyl ether)
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 13,000 mg/kg, eliminates slowly and can build up with repeated exposure/ingestion. Toxic metabolites include formaldehyde and formic acid. Damages optic nerve.
- uses: fuel dryer
- otc: automotive stores, hardware and paint stores
- uses: shellac thinner, alcohol stove fuel
- caution: flammable
- note: often mixed with paint removers or varnish removers
- note: good at penetrating cell walls and membranes
- prop: bp 39.8 °C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 2136 mg/kg, VERY dangerous to eyes, produces highly toxic fumes when heated to decomposition (e.g. by open flames, etc.), may be carcinogenic in rats
- otc: paint and hardware stores (mixed with methyl alcohol, etc.)
- uses: paint and varnish remover
- note: fire hazard is low (by itself)
Paint and varnish remover, usually composed of methylene chloride and methyl alcohol. May also contain toluene and other solvents. See individual components for more information.
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: hardware and paint stores
- uses: paint thinner, some lighter fluids, some spot removers
- note: boiling fractions are similar to gasoline
Naptha (coal tar, naptha solvent)
- prop: bp 149-216 °C, dens 0.86-0.89
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- caution: flammable
Naptha, V.M. & P. (benzine, 76 degree naphtha)
- prop: bp 100-140 °C, dens 0.67-0.80, flash point 20 F.
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- note: do not confuse with benzene
- caution: flammable, autoignite 450 F
Naptha, V.M. & P., 50 degree flash
- prop: bp 115-143 °C, flash point 50 °F
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- caution: flammable
Naptha, V.M. & P., high flash
- prop: bp 138-165 °C, flash point 50 F
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- caution: flammable
Nonane (C9H20, n-nonane) a component of gasoline, a component of some naphthas
- prop: mp aprox -54 °C, bp aprox 151 C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: see naphtha, white gas, gasoline
- caution: flammable
- prop: bp aprox 126 °C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: hardware and paint stores (some naphthas)
- otc: sporting goods stores (white gas)
- caution: highly flammable
- prop: bp aprox 36 °C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: see petroleum spirits
- caution: highly flammable
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: generally low to moderate toxicity, laboratory experiments show a slight carcinogenic potential for most petroleum distillates. Higher boiling fractions may be more carcinogenic.
- caution: flammable to highly flammable
- note: petroleum distillates do not dissolve most water-solubles
- note: petroleum distillates include everything from pentane to heavy tars
- note: generally (but not always) refers to the lower boiling fractions of petroleum distillates
- prop: bp 35-180 °C, dens. 64-66
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: see petroleum distillates
- otc: hardware and paint stores
- uses: paint thinner
- caution: flammable
- note: "petroleum spirits" often refers to the lower boiling fractions of petroleum distillates. However, one "odorless paint thinner" claiming 100% mineral spirits had a boiling point of 175 °C.
- note: do not confuse with benzene
- prop: bp 74.1 °C, dens 1.3492
- dis: oils, etc.
- pol: non-polar?/moderately polar? (insoluble in water)
- tox: oral LD50 (dog) 750 mg/kg, avoid fumes
- otc: super markets, hardware stores, etc.
- uses: spot remover (brand name: "Energine"), industrial uses include cleaning of metal parts and metal molds
- caution: can react violently with acetone
- note: non-flammable!
- prop: mp -95 °C to -94.5 °C, bp 110.4 °C
- dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 5000 mg/kg, oral toxicity is moderate, inhalation of 100 ppm can cause psychotropic effects, 200 ppm can produce CNS effects
- otc: paint and hardware stores (mixed with methyl alcohol, etc.)
- uses: furniture refinisher, liquid sandpaper, paint remover
- note: low fire hazard (by itself)
- prop: bp 154-170 °C
- dis: oils ?, etc.?
- pol: non-polar? (insoluble in water)
- sol: alcohols, chloroform, ether, glacial acetic acid
- tox: aspiration causes pheumonitis, oral ingestion causes damage to GI tract and kidneys, inhalation toxicity is high
- otc: paint and hardware stores
- uses: thinning varnish, paint, & enamel; cleaning brushes
- caution: moderately flammable
- prop:
(m-xylene) mp -47.9 C, bp 139 °C
(o-xylene) bp 144.4 °C
(p-xylene) bp 138.3 °C - dis: oils
- pol: non-polar
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 5000 mg/kg, see also petroleum distillates
- otc: supermarkets, hardware stores
- uses: some cleaners (e.g. for dissolving chewing gum, brand name: "Goof-off"), some lighter fluids
- caution: flammable
Substitutions
It is not always easy to come up with the exact solvent discussed in any particular recipe. Consequently, it may be advantageous to consider substituting an over-the-counter solvent for a hard-to-get one. This can often be done successfully if you keep a few things in mind. The main thing to look for is what the solvent dissolves. Remember the rule: substances that are similar in nature dissolve in each other. This means that non-polar substances dissolve in non-polar solvents. For instance, hydrocarbons solve in hexane well. Be aware that some solvents may dissolve more than you bargained for. Alcohols and acetone will dissolve things that petroleum distillates won't, like sugars and chlorophyll. Another thing to look for is boiling point. Naphtha solvent (coal tar naphtha) has a boiling point so high that you wouldn't be able to boil it off to separate it from THC (the THC would boil off with it). Solvents with lower boiling points are much easier to boil off, and usually leave less residual solvent. Petroleum distillates are typically a mixture of various hydrocarbons with a variety of boiling points. The boiling fraction of any particular petroleum distillate refers to the range of boiling points of its components.
Purity
There are basically two ways that impurities can get into solvents, etc. The first way is inherent in the manufacturing process. Very few products are pure at the time of manufacture. The general idea is to produce a product that meets certain minimum purity requirements. The product is refined to remove contaminants until the minimum purity level is reached. Most manufacturing methods favor low-cost production over purity of product. Industrial grade products are used in applications that require only marginal purity. With reagent grade chemicals, however, a high degree of purity is required. Reagent grades are refined until they are ridiculously pure (e.g. something like 99.999% pure). This additional refining is costly, and as a result, reagent grades are usually many times the price of industrial grades. Industrial grades are used in many commercial products, and are often available at hardware stores, etc. Reagent grades are generally only available at chemical supply stores. Unfortunately, most kitchen chemists would have a difficult time bluffing their way in a chem shop without arousing suspicion. Additionally, many reagent grade products are watched closely by certain government agencies, where the industrial grades are not. (e.g. acetone)
The other way impurities can be introduced is when the manufacturer intentionally places additives into a product to enhance its performance (or appearance) or to dilute an expensive component. Since the performance enhancing additives frequently cost more, the expensive, big brand names are the ones most likely to use them. When performance enhancing additives are present, the product labels regularly boast numerous features. The less expensive, more generic looking products are less likely to add performance enhancers but are more likely to dilute their product. Some additives may actually be useful, however. e.g. paint and varnish removers often combine methylene chloride with methyl alcohol, and furniture refinishers often have toluene combined with methyl alcohol.
The other way impurities can be introduced is when the manufacturer intentionally places additives into a product to enhance its performance (or appearance) or to dilute an expensive component. Since the performance enhancing additives frequently cost more, the expensive, big brand names are the ones most likely to use them. When performance enhancing additives are present, the product labels regularly boast numerous features. The less expensive, more generic looking products are less likely to add performance enhancers but are more likely to dilute their product. Some additives may actually be useful, however. e.g. paint and varnish removers often combine methylene chloride with methyl alcohol, and furniture refinishers often have toluene combined with methyl alcohol.
Other substances:
- prop: mp 16.7 °C, bp 118.1 °C
- sol: water
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 3310 mg/kg
- otc: grocery stores (vinegar)
- uses: cooking, cleaning
- caution: dangerous in contact with: chromic acid, sodium peroxide
- nitric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, xylene, oleum. decomposition (at high temp.) evolves toxic fumes
- note: normal vinegar is 5% acetic acid, vinegar concentrate is 18% acetic acid
- note: can be used for extracting some alkaloids from plant material
- prop: mp 271 °C
- sol: water
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 180 mg/kg;
- otc: fishing or hardware stores
- uses: anti mold ingredient for curing salmon eggs;
- prop: mp -77 °C
- sol: water
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 350 mg/kg, oral LDlo (human) 43 mg/kg, inhale LClo (human) 5000 ppm
- otc: grocery and hardware stores
- uses: household cleaning ammonia
- note: ammonia is a gas at room temperature. It is sold otc dissolved in water (much as is done with hydrochloric acid).
- note: a weak base. can be used to precipitate some alkaloids from slightly acidic solutions.
- prop: mp 40-42.4 °C, bp 212 °C
- sol: ethanol
- otc: pharmacy
- caution: caustic
- note: glucose/fructose/phosphoric acid mix sold as remedy against nausea and vomiting
- prop: mp -114.3 °C, bp -84.8 °C, dens 1.639 g/liter gas @ 0 °C
- tox: oral LD50 (rabbit) 900 mg/kg
- otc: hardware stores (muriatic acid)
- uses: cleaning calcium or lime deposits from cement, brick, swimming pools, and ceramic tile.
- caution: caustic
- note: useful in isomerizing CBD to THC. Useful in extracting some alkaloids from plant material. HCl is found naturally in low concentrations in the digestive juices of your stomach.
- prop: mp 318.4 °C, bp 1390 °C, dens 2.120
- tox: oral LDlo (rabbit) 500 mg/kg
- otc: hardware stores, etc. (Red Devil Lye, etc.)
- uses: unclogging drains
- caution: highly corrosive to body tissue
- caution: can react violently with acetic acid or tetrahydrofuran
- note: useful in precipitating some alkaloids from acid solutions
- sol: water
- note: insoluble in alcohol
- note: can be removed by dissolving resin in petroleum ether and shaking with water
- otc: pharmacy and grocery stores as Epsom salt (MgSO4*10H2O);
- prop: mp 10.49 °C, bp 330 °C, dens 1.83
- tox: oral LD50 (rat) 2,140 mg/kg
- otc: plumming supply stores (plummers' sulfuric acid),
- uses: unclogging drains
- otc: automotive supply stores (battery acid conc. ~36%)
- caution: battery acid may have lead in it
- caution: caustic, use care when mixing with water as it heats rapidly when dissolved and causes spattering (add slowly to water drop by drop)
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