What are some suitable substitutes for Isopropyl Alcohol. I cant find it. I've asked about for rubbing alcohol and no one has any or has even heard of it.

(Im in the UK btw)

I cant get my hands on ethanol either, so is it possible to distill vodka?

I saw something on being able to use Methylated Spirits, when you have no other option, but you have to dry them first. What does that mean?

-SoND

Drying means to remove all the water. Baked epsom salts(MgSo4)is good for many things, but swim heard that is shouldn't be used with acid sensitive substances.

In the UK and can't get IPA?

You are a sorry case indeed.

Your local branch of Bousfield (check www.bousfield.co.uk) (http://www.bousfield.co.uk)) can provide you with IPA in 5 litre cans and 25 litre barrels.

The last 5 I bought cost me 12.50ukp

Synth

PS. I know where to get 10% Iodine for 5ukp/500ml too!!!

I can get Iodine 99.9% easy. I can also get RedP.

Im talking about getting IPA, OTC. Instead of ordering it.

If you want IPA and all else has failed you should be able to get some from any major solvent distributor as opposed to paint stores and the like .. call around find the ones that carry it ..it is not that hard to come by.

Methylated spirits is prodominantly ethanol (90%) with a bit of methanol (5%)chucked in and there will be some water (5%) in there too, these figures will vary and the ratios i have stated here are rough estimates.

Yeah you could distill vodka, but why bother, unless you have a very good set up you won't remove all the water anyway.It is very hard to distill alcohols past 98% purity. Much easier to go get some methylated spirits and dry that using the method kman spoke of.

There are notes on drying solvents in this forum .. do a search on drying agents ..

quote:Originally posted by Son of Northern Darkness:



Im talking about getting IPA, OTC. Instead of ordering it.



What, you mean like the way I walked up to their trade counter and said, "here's 12.50, can I have 5 litres of IPA" type OTC?

Ok, so they are Bristol based, but any printing supplier should be able to do the same for you.

If you're after glassware, contact SGL at www.scientificglass.co.uk. (http://www.scientificglass.co.uk.) They'll even take postal orders as payment and they have a trade counter too!

Synth

[This message has been edited by Synthorcist (edited 12-24-2003).]

Ye gods. Isopropanol is just rubbing alcohol. I can pick up a bottle of >99% alcohol for about $1.50 american.

Iso-Heet(red bottle)water remover and fuel system additive. Available at Wally W. etc. and Automotive parts stores.

Rubbing alcohol should be located in the health aid department along with band-aids, hydrogen peroxide etc., at Wally W., Pharmaceutical, most Grocery stores. Alcohol% varies.

quote:Originally posted by buffalo princess:

Iso-Heet(red bottle)water remover and fuel system additive. Available at Wally W. etc. and Automotive parts stores.

Rubbing alcohol should be located in the health aid department along with band-aids, hydrogen peroxide etc., at Wally W., Pharmaceutical, most Grocery stores. Alcohol% varies.

As if Iso-Heet was available in the UK!

Band-Aids and H2O2 at the grocery store?!?!?

We wish... H2O2 only comes from a Pharmacy round here and you'll get a grilling when you ask for it. As for EtOH, you havn't got a hope in hell of buying it clean at any decent %age.

In my experience, here in the UK, the only EtOH you're going to get is what we call 'methylated spirits', a nice purple blend of 5% MeOH, 95% EtOH and a purple dye.

You guys in the states do really have it easy when it comes to aquiring reagents.

Synth

In the US IPA(50-91%) is easy to get in pharmacies, and the 99% IPA is not hard to find in auto parts stores. 3% H2O2 easy to get, and I2 w/IK tinctures are only moderatelly hard to find. Also, denatures EtOH(w/5-10% MeOH) is easy to get in paint stores, and they do not put purple dey with it either. It is used as a pint thinner. One would not want purple paint thinner.

[This message has been edited by DrY.R.Head (edited 12-26-2003).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Synthorcist:

[B] As if Iso-Heet was available in the UK!

Band-Aids and H2O2 at the grocery store?!?!?

We wish...

You guys in the states do really have it easy when it comes to aquiring reagents.

Whoa sorry for trying to help.

SoND was asking for options and stated some had never heard of rubbing alcohol. Brand name not important, it was swims intention to give a general area that could be considered in the search for these items.

Americans are truely lucky to be able to have a 48 cent bottle of rubbing alcohol in the bathroom cabinet and a car in the drive.

lets see....

you already have redp and I but the iso is sooo difficult to find!

(yeah, we americans are SOOO lucky to be able to find band aids and h2o2 in grocery stores while you can easily acquire redp and I)

But, back to point....

why bother?

wood alcohol (methanol) works so much better anyway for filtrations and evaps w/ acetone crashes anyway

iso is slower and does not leave as good of a finish

[This message has been edited by dan46 (edited 12-28-2003).]