[bstanley]

Hi all,

I recently came across an article and it says it uses "powdered sodium hydroxide" as one of the ingredients and it uses toluene as solvent. Sodium hydroxide normally comes in pellet and I am wondering if by powdered, it just means grinding it with mortar and pestle? Also, NaOH is hygroscopic, is it not? Is there a special trick in grinding it?

Perhaps I'm just over thinking it, but any comment will be appreciated.

Cheers,

Stanley

[pacifyer]

Hi all,

I recently came across an article and it says it uses "powdered sodium hydroxide" as one of the ingredients and it uses toluene as solvent. Sodium hydroxide normally comes in pellet and I am wondering if by powdered, it just means grinding it with mortar and pestle? Also, NaOH is hygroscopic, is it not? Is there a special trick in grinding it?

Perhaps I'm just over thinking it, but any comment will be appreciated.

Cheers,

Stanley

I think you can grind NaOH, it is not that hard. I never tried, but it seems doable. Try to work fast, as it will absorb moisture, and CO2 from the air. AVOID INHALING IT, AND KEEP IT AWAY FROM EYES AND SKIN.

[nj_bartel]

"AVOID INHALING IT"

God that sounds painful.

[dunno260]

Just a mortar and pestle.  Work somewhat quickly but it isn't a problem.  I have also heard of people putting the pellets into a plastic bag of some sort and using a hammer or something like that. 

[dfodor]

Use a mortar and start grinding it right before the reaction.

[muhammed ali]

hi,
   you can use NaOH in the powdered form but just before the reaction to set up. mortar can be used for grinding. and in my opinion hygroscopic nature of NaOH will not affect your reaction so far.

[bstanley]

Thank you all for the replies. Much appreciated.