Jackhammer (Hive Bee) 01-12-02 16:53 No 255614				Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						In a post by Aminator (?) I printed out some time ago it is stated that when performing an Al/Hg reduction: If 40% methylamine in water is used (instead of the MA salt) the following substitutions can be made. In sequence add 128g aqueous methylamine, 302 ml isopropyl alcohol (100%), a suspension of 84g NaCl (table salt) in 42 ml 25% NaOH that has been diluted to 235 ml with water, 89g (0.5 moles) of piperonylacetone, and finally 588ml isopropyl alcohol(100%). Can someone tell me why the salt is added? Don't understand why it should be added . Well, never did this type of reaction so maybe there is a good reason.... I'm more curious about the things I dream than about things I see when awake!
		___ (-) 01-12-02 17:05 No 255618				Re: Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						just a guess, but when MeAm HCl is basifiied with NaOH, NaCl is produced. My guess is that it plays no role in the rxn, but a maybe aminator was uncertain and so added it to cover his ass. Further i have no idea why he is adding the NaOH, he already has MeAm freebase, maybe to accelerate the rxn but again it is likely gratuitous.
		Jackhammer (Hive Bee) 01-12-02 18:58 No 255652				Re: Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						Hmm...I was thinking the same but was not sure. I think you're right about why Aminator added the NaOH. I remember to have read that NaOH speeds up the reaction.....No scientific explanation however....just this remark. Damn, wish I had a bit more org. chem knowledge... I'm more curious about the things I dream than about things I see when awake!
		Osmium (Stoni's sexual toy) 01-13-02 01:27 No 255726				Re: Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						UTFSE. This very topic has been exhaustively discussed recently.
		terbium (Old P2P Cook) 01-13-02 03:15 No 255754				Re: Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						Thread starting with Post 251384 (Chromic: "BrightStar writeup", Methods Discourse)
		Chromic (Hive Addict) 01-13-02 09:17 No 255863				Re: Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						Basically: 1. you do not need NaOH with 40% MeAm (but do use external heat to keep rxn at right temp) 2. use molar equiv with MeAm.HCl and no less (read terbs post) 2. use of NaCl does not affect reaction either way
		Jackhammer (Hive Bee) 01-14-02 22:54 No 256404				Re: Addition of salt in Al/Hg reduction?	Bookmark
						OK, OK, got the picture. Terbs suggestion was useful and yes I know I should have UTFSE Os.....Sometimes me prefers the easy way. Just a matter of being lazy. I'm more curious about the things I dream than about things I see when awake!