Warning: Chloralkali process can release toxic chlorine vapor and sodium hydroxide, which is corrosive. Research conditions before attempting electrolysis on a substance. Only release halogens outside, in a fume hood, or in a test tube. The chloralkali...
As I had stated in an earlier post, I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Lithium will be discussed here. Lithium is a soft, malleable, gray alkali metal. It tarnishes to purple, then black, then...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Fluorine will be discussed here. Fluorine is the most reactive element. It is an extremely powerful oxidizing agent. It is a yellow-brown toxic gas. Fluorides,...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Carbon will be discussed here. Carbon has several physical forms, or allotropes. Graphite is black, soft, electrically conductive solid. Diamond is a clear,...
Recently I produced zinc- and aluminium-gallium alloys. There are two ways to do this with zinc. The first method is to react zinc with an acidic solution of a gallium salt. The gallium produced dissolves in the zinc metal to form the alloy containing...
Warning: Many metal oxide fumes and other oxides are harmful for inhalation. Do not burn yourself on the hot materials. Arsenic, selenium, lead, and tellurium are quite toxic. You will need: One or more of these: lead powder, bismuth powder, tellurium...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Sodium will be discussed here. Sodium is a light, low-melting, reactive metal. It belongs in the alkali metals group. It oxidizes rapidly in air, and its reaction...
I tried dissolving my beryllium lump. Placement in 5% acetic acid resulted in no reaction. In this regard beryllium (and its protective layer) are very similar to aluminium. Placement in concentrated hydrochloric acid, however, resulted in a vigorous...
The production of sodium periodate is very simple. You need tincture of iodine and sodium hypochlorite. Add the sodium hypochlorite to the tincture of iodine. The triiodide ion is oxidized to hypoiodite, whichly quickly oxidizes to iodate, then gradually...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Chlorine will be discussed here. Chlorine is a light yellow-green gas. It is the second halogen. It is less oxidizing than fluorine but more oxidizing than bromine....
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Magnesium will be discussed here. Magnesium is a light, relatively strong alkali metal. It is highly reactive but protected by an oxide layer. It finds much...
Warning: Cobalt compounds are toxic and potentially carcinogenic. Do not ingest or inhale them. Bleach fumes may be a problem. The procedures that release chlorine should be done under a fume hood or outdoors. You will need: Test tube Cobalt(II) chloride...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Sulfur will be discussed here. Sulfur is a yellow crystalline substance. It is a brittle flammable nonmetal. It burns to make the noxious gas sulfur dioxide....
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Calcium will be discussed here. Calcium is a somewhat soft, silvery-gray metal. It reacts with water to produce white calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Calcium...
Warning: Copper salts are toxic. Do not eat or drink. We have already seen the copper(I) ammine complex, which is colorless. It was formed when copper(I) oxide dissolves in ammonia. When it was oxidized, a blue solution of the copper(II) ammine complex...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Iron will be discussed here. Iron is the most common structural metal in the world. It is very strong, cheap, and sturdy. It is the second most common metal...
A comproportionation reaction sounds extremely complicated. In reality it is quite simple.Two differently charged atoms orr ions of the same element react to form two equally charged ions. Three common examples will be discussed. First: Copper. When an...
Copper(II) chloride has a unique ability to partially remove the protective oxide layers from aluminium. Copper sulfate, a more common copper compound, does not behave this way with aluminium. Why does copper(II) chloride have this ability? Does copper(II)...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Zinc will be discussed here. Zinc is a relatively soft, bluish colored metal from Group 12. It is sometimes considered a transition metal and sometimes a post-transition...
Warning: Copper compounds are toxic. Do not eat or drink. Hydrochloric acid is corrosive. Wear gloves. You will need: Copper(II) chloride Hydrochloric acid Test tube Copper(II) chloride forms chloro complexes with hydrochloric acid. They range in color...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Neon will be discussed here. Neon is another noble gas. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It forms no known compounds. It is used in neon lamps. It is...
Lead is a unique metal to dissolve as its chloride and sulfate are relatively insoluble. Therefore, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids are not the ideal choice for dissolving lead. Sulfuric acid: Sulfuric acid dissolution of lead does not work without an...
Silver halides are light sensitive, making them useful for old-time film photography. Silver chloride, a white solid, has the quickest reaction with light. It turns purplish after about one minute in strong sunlight. Upon further exposure, it turns black,...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Aluminium will be discussed here. Aluminium is a very common, light, silvery gray metal. It requires much energy to extract from its ores and can be recycled...
I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Gallium will be discussed here. Gallium is a soft, low-melting metal. It can even melt in the human hand. Gallium is found beneath aluminium on the periodic...
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