GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate) Synthesis FAQ

[TheWaterman]

Hi I have a question on Sand Mayer process. Will I be done with the process leaving me with GBL only if I stop after Step 4 in the extraction part as it seems like everything after makes it into GHB?

 

[G.Patton]

Hi, If I understand you correctly, you want to get GBL by Sandmeyer Reaction. Yes, you can get it at 4th step.

 

[Jeffrey B.]

cool, I found GABA in the form of gelatin capsules with just microcelulose as a filler, aswell as 50g bags of questionable purity for ~$10 a pop, sooooooo the pills are cheaper AND purer. I also can buy NaNO2 as some sort of gardening product from a chemical supplier for like $8 a kilo lol. I'm suprised no one here (Poland) makes GHB, its so easy but I've never seen it on the market. I will update whenever I have effects and/or questions

Actually, its still kinda unclear if im supposed to do both distillation AND extraction with DCM, how do i make sure im distilling GBL? isn't the RM full of water? GBL's BP is 204,6 °C, so do I just boil the RM until vapor temp. reaches 204,6 °C and collect from there?

Thanks in advance

 

[G.Patton]

DCM bp is 39.6*C
GBL bp is 204*C
There is clearly written that you have to distill off water at first. Read several times. I write the same as written in the topic.

 

[JustAnother0rganic]

hi,
i just followed the recipe, nothing burnt or too small flask , p
The liquid was crystal clear (except when adding the gbl, for 10mn) but the ph stay high. i ve added a lot of extra gbl i think but still green paper....>8
What can i do to lower the ph please ?
i didnt use a real liquid circuit reflux, but a long 30cm chemineee ended with a vigreux. you think a lot of H2O has gone ? it didnt look like it was fuming... slow boil.

 

[JustAnother0rganic]

it was distilled H2O,,
and was using a water bath to anticipate bs///

 

[G.Patton]

Hi, there is answer in the text:

It's hard to answer to such question. Too small input data.

 

[JustAnother0rganic]

Hi again, i am still alive !
I followed the man and tried to stick to it the best i could as noob as i am, though i ve annoted/added formyself my own manual copy like this:
"once the solution is cystal clear", keeps this solution at a light boil for 30 mn, "then test the ph".
Because even clear water looking, at the beginning the ph is > 8, even you add more gbl.
30 mn later still clear water looking, but the ph evolve and went down. The reaction need time to complete. The ph is not stable at the beginning.
may be its logical to those who know, but my first batch gave me an unbalanced equi molar soltuion with too much gbl. and big oily drops of gbl on the clear surface of the solution.
redid it, after added the missing dissolved NaHCO3+ distilled H2O, let it react 30 mn, tested the ph and let it cool at room temp. to get a water like solution.