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Chemistry Forums for Students => Analytical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: reverse flash on February 11, 2016, 04:19:02 PM

Title: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: reverse flash on February 11, 2016, 04:19:02 PM
I have called like 50 labs and I cannot find anybody

Sample contains 95% of sulfuric acid, I need to find the remaining 5%

Is there anybody wit GC/MS interested in small side job



Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: Hunter2 on February 12, 2016, 01:23:32 AM
5% is water. To check for impurities normally every supplier can submit a datasheet about his product.
Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: reverse flash on February 12, 2016, 07:49:08 AM
Water does not give nice blue fluorescence under 365 nm and it is not green.

this is the properties of the other substance,

so it might be another acid mixed with

to give you some clue it is some fluorometric / colorometric test like for detection of drugs.

so guessing will not help, I need somebody with access to lab, I guess running through GC/MS, LC/Ms would give the answer
Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: Arkcon on February 12, 2016, 07:57:32 AM
Few things can survive 95% sulfuric, and give a fluorescence.  This is quite a mystery you have on your hands.  I would start with a complaint to a vendor, they may be able to help.  I wouldn't be running HPLC on conc acid, but maybe ion chromatography systems and columns can handle it.  Once isolated (if possible) the impurity can be understood better by other means.

I'd also check that this really is 95% sulfuric.  If not, then that's a simpler complaint for the vendor.  Also, I'd check if this impurity is stable towards heat, especially in 95% sulfuric.That would also let you know if its volatile enough for GC to be performed, once separated from the sulfuric acid.
Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: reverse flash on February 12, 2016, 08:36:25 AM
It is not impurity it is supposed to be there, this is part of the colorometric test.

It like the mandelin test, which contains also sulfuric acid and something else

I do not think a sulfuric acid would be a problem for GC/MS or LC/M you just neutralize it with for example with Sodium hydroxide,

I do not think it should be difficult I just need a lab to do this.
Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: billnotgatez on February 12, 2016, 12:40:23 PM
I did a GOOGLE.
Are you looking for a lab service like this
http://www.cal-laboratories.com/analytical_chemistry.php (http://www.cal-laboratories.com/analytical_chemistry.php)

You might offer to neutralize the substance before shipping.
Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: reverse flash on February 12, 2016, 02:59:33 PM
Yes, I did call the company and a few other similar. They have no clue what to do.

it seems like high school chemistry and you cannot get to do small job.

It should be something very simple and basic for a chemist with right equipment and even without it.

It is something basic like another acid maybe or some salt,
Title: Re: Is there anybody who can help to analize sample containing 95% of sulfuric acid
Post by: aga on February 16, 2016, 04:11:51 PM
Sample contains 95% of sulfuric acid, I need to find the remaining 5%
Why ?

Sulphuric acid is cheap : just buy some good stuff.