List of Chemicals and Materials Made by Sciencemadness.

org Users
This document is intended to be a collection of chemicals, materials and reagents made by amateur chemists with brief notes about their synthesis. The purpose of this compilation is to:
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substance, sorting by username.

Chemical/Reagent Name Formula SM Username Short notes about preparation Links:

Notes: crude product was an orange layer more dense than water, slightly soluble. No
further workup/purification was attempted as it was a proof of concept regarding the
Sandmeyer reaction in general. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=80042#pid505170
Ammonium oxalate (NH4)2C2O4 fusso Mixing 2 eqv of NH3(aq) and 1 eqv oxalic acid dihydrate. Recrystallise.
Ammonium permanganate NH4MnO4 TheMrbunGee 30g of potassium permanganate is dissolved in 120 ml 60°C water, a 50% excess of 15g
ammonium chloride is dissolved in 30 ml 60°C water, solutions are combined while
stirring. Solution is cooled to 0°C and formed crystals are filtered, washed and dried. With
sloppy washings 92% yield. 24g of 26g theoretical. https://youtu.be/yTxoqTeNs3k
Barium chloride 2-hydrate BaCl2·2H2O woelen http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/BaCl2_2H2O/index.html http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/BaCl2_2H2O/index.html
Benzoic acid C7H6O2 LearnedAmateur Excess toluene and concentrated potassium permanganate solution are refluxed for a few
hours until the purple colouration of the aqueous phase disappears and there is a thick
layer of brown-black MnO2 observed in the reaction vessel. After filtration using a fritted
Büchner funnel, the aqueous phase is treated with mineral acids (H2SO4 in my case), the
same manner as Plunkett’s procedure below, to obtain a quantitative mass of white
precipitate. Upon recrystallisation from hot water, benzoic acid forms needle-like crystals
which can be collected easily and are of high purity.

Note: no other solvent is required - in fact, water is likely the best option available due to
the vast difference in solubility at near-boiling and room temperature solvent.
Benzoic acid C7H6O2 Plunkett A saturated solution of sodium benzoate was combined with a stoichiometric amount of
hydrochloric acid, causing benzoic acid to fall out of solution because of its poor
solubility in water. The benzoic acid was filtered and rinsed twice with cold distilled
water before drying it on a glass plate under a heat lamp.
Boric Acid H3PO3 Abromination Dissolve 120g Borax in 200mL boiling water and add around 70mL 9M hydrochloric
acid. Let crystals fully form, filter, rinse and dry.
Brass, various ratios Cu·Zn MrHomeScientist Created by adding zinc to molten copper. Brasses with estimated zinc content of 6%, 11%,
and 17% have been made, each with a different color. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=81819
Bromine Br2 woelen http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/OTC_bromine/index.html http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/OTC_bromine/index.html
Carbon, Amorphous C fusso Heat sugar until all turned black and no more gas evolution
Carbon Refractory Foam C elementcollector1 Single slice of bread was wrapped in aluminum foil and baked at 500 F for 1 hour. End
product was a light, carbon-black foam block that was brittle but mechanically resilient.
Easily withstood heat from a butane microtorch without noticeable effect. Note: DO NOT
underbake. Bread will catch on fire. See “Carbon Foam Refractory Made From Bread” in
Chemistry in General.
Charcoal C VSEPR_VOID Wood scraps were placed into a soup can and heated by means of a fire pit with the aid of
a hot air gun as a bellows. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=82077
Chromium (III) hydroxide Cr(OH)3 CobaltChloride Reaction of stainless steel forks with HCl followed by filtration to remove Ni and C.The
solution resulting was treated with NaOH
Concentrated Sulfuric Acid H2SO4 VSEPR_VOID FAILURE: Sulfuric acid of unknown concentration was boiled. This, even with boiling
chips, resulted in a steam-acid explosion which scorched the ceiling of the lab. This
researcher does not recommend this.
Copper (II) Acetate Cu(CH3COO)2 Abromination Heat a 1:1 mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. It does not need to boil. Add an
excess of copper metal SLOWLY to the hot mixture and let sit for 3 hours. Filter out the
the copper and boil down to about 10 mL and let cool.

Place copper acetate into the fridge. Scoop out crystals of copper acetate and let dry.
Copper (II) Acetylsalicylate C36H28Cu2O16 Abromination Add 2.01g sodium bicarbonate to 30mL water. With stirring, add 3.6 grams of isopropanol
recrystallized acetylsalicylic acid to a flask and slowly add sodium bicarbonate. Add 2.5g
copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate to 20mL water and add slowly to the reaction flask. Let
react for several hours and filter, rinse and dry your copper (II) acetylsalicylate.
Copper (II) Chloride CuCl2 JJay Precipitation reaction. Saturated copper sulfate (aq.) was mixed with an equimolar
quantity of saturated calcium chloride (aq.), and the mixture was vacuum filtered. The
solution was evaporated to dryness in an oven.
Copper (II) Nitrate Trihydrate Cu(NO3)2·3H2O TheMrbunGee Reaction of Calcium nitrate and Copper sulfate solutions. CaSO4 is then filtered off and
water is evaporated off at room temperature. Some calcium sulfate may crystallize out, so
additional purification and filtration must be done.
Copper (II) Nitrate Trihydrate Cu(NO3)2·3H2OVSEPR_VOID FW nitric acid w/ copper scrap from wires. Slightly light sensitive: Do not dry by means
of a desk lamp
Copper (II) Oxide CuO Abromination Made in the reaction of concentrated sodium hydroxide and copper sulfate (after
decomposition). Using 2:1 ratio of sodium hydroxide and copper sulfate, the NaOH was
dissolved into water making about a 70% solution. The copper sulfate pentahydrate was
added undissolved into the solution and was left for a week. The copper (II) hydroxide
decomposed into Cu(OH)2 and was filtered and rinsed 3 times.
Copper (II) Oxide CuO TheMrbunGee Produced by reaction of copper sulfate and sodium hydroxide solutions, then heating
copper hydroxide. CuO was then washed, filtered and dried. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji75TO2D0Rc
Copper (II) Oxide CuO VSEPR_VOID Produced by the electrolysis of a weak solution of sodium hydroxide using copper
electrodes made from copper wire scraps.
Copper Slag Cu VSEPR_VOID Copper wire was melted in a forge and poured onto sand. It was cleaned by submerging
the slag in vinegar, salt, and hydrogen peroxide.
Cupric Ferrocyanide Cu2[Fe(CN)6] VSEPR_VOID Hydroferrocyanic acid reacted with copper carbonate.
D-Limonene C10H16 Abromination Remove the 'zest' from 3 oranges. Charge a 1L two necked flask with 300mL water and
the orange zest. Set up for distillation and add a pressure-equalizing addition funnel to the
the second opening on the flask and fill with water. Carry out a distillation, occasionaly
replenishing from the addition funnel until most of the water is depleted. Add distillate to
a seperation funnel and collect top organic layer.
Dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine C5H10N6O2 Rhodanide Hexamine is dissolved in Acetic acid of varying concentration, and a solution of NaNO2
in water is added. The mixture is set in an ice bath for an hour, wherein the DNPMT
precipitates as a pale yellow crystalline solid.
Holmium Hydroxide Ho(OH)3 VSEPR_VOID Holmium metal was dissolved in a solution of HCl and hydrogen peroxide. This was
treated with NaOH solution and filtered. The material that collected in the filter was dried
by steam.
Hydroferrocyanic Acid H4Fe(CN)6 VSEPR_VOID Potassium Ferrocyanide was treated with a strong excess of HCl and the H4Fe(CN)6
separated by filtration
Iron (II) sulfate FeSO4·xH2O CobaltChloride The reaction of steel wool and sulfuric acid. Product precipitated by refrigeration
Isopropyl nitrite C3H7NO2 LearnedAmateur Esterification of propan-2-ol with in situ nitrous acid. Product was collected as a pale
yellow layer less dense than water, and purification involved shaking with aqueous
sodium carbonate in order to neutralise nitrogen oxides followed by manual separation of
the (presumably) pure product.

Notes: burns with a pale yellow-grey flame and is extremely volatile, no residue after
evaporation.
Lead acetate Pb(CH3COO)2 fusso Adding slight excess glacial acetic acid to lead carbonate slurry and heat to boiling until
all solids dissolved and all gases expelled. Then filter to remove insoluble impurities.
cover vessel with tissue paper to prevent dust entering during crystallization.
Lead oxalate PbC2O4 fusso Adding slight excess oxalic acid slurry to the lead acetate solution to precipitate lead
oxalate. Filter out the solids. Wash solids with a little cold water to remove remaining
acetic and oxalic acids.
Methyl benzoate C8H8O2 Plunkett 80 mL of methanol (HEET gas line antifreeze), 10 g of benzoic acid and 2.2 mL of drain
cleaner sulfuric acid (~93%) were combined into a flask and refluxed for 90 minutes.
After cooling, the reaction mixture was added to a separatory funnel along with 30 mL of
a saturated NaCl solution and 35 mL of naphtha (Coleman camping fuel). The aqueous
layer was drained and discarded, then 30 mL of a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution
was added to the separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was again discarded and the
organic layer transferred to a beaker where it was gently heated to drive off the naptha
leaving slightly discolored methyl benzoate. Based on this procedure, using naptha instead
of diethyl ether: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2HdN4gcVyc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2HdN4gcVyc
Nitric Acid HNO3 Chem Science Nitric acid can be made by dry distillation of stoichiometric amounts of Sodium bisulfate
and nitrate salt, sulfuric acid and nitrate salt, oxalic acid and nitrate salt. But the best is
using sulfuric acid, second best is bisulfate and third is oxalic ( But the acid comes out
contaminated with oxalic ) A cheaper procedure is to mix solutions of calcium nitrate and
oxalic acid ( both hot ) let the mixture cool and precipitate Calcium oxalate,Filter and
distil the filtrate ( Fractional ) to remove 80% of the water, Stop. put mixture on freezer
and filter the oxalic that precipitates, put back to fractionation and get nitric acid boiling at
120-121 degrees yield is 50% or around 200ml of azeotropic acid (65%) For more info
search the post.
Phenyl Isocyanide C7H5N Rhodanide 15mLs of Chloroform and 15mLs Aniline are dissolved in separate mixtures containing
anhydrous Ethanol. In another beaker, NaOH is dissolved in Ethanol. The two solutions of
Aniline & CHCl3 are combined in a flask. Quick addition of the base solution starts the
reaction. Heating to 70C for one hour completes the reaction. Distilling off the Ethanol
leaves the crude final product which has an unbelievably foul odor.
Potassium bromate KBrO3 woelen http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/KBrO3_synth/index.html http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/KBrO3_synth/index.html
Potassium oxalate K2C2O4 fusso Mixing 2 eqv of KOH and 1 eqv oxalic acid dihydrate. Recrystallise.
Potassium periodate KIO4 woelen http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/KIO4_synth/index.html http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/KIO4_synth/index.html
Potassium tetraperoxochromate(V) K3[Cr(O2)4] woelen http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/K3CrO8_synth/index.html http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/K3CrO8_synth/index.html
C18Fe7N18
Prussian Blue (Iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II)) Velzee An arbitrary amount of K3[Fe(CN)6] in water was added to an amount of FeCl2 in water,
and a brilliant dark blue precipitate was observed and then filtered; a very small amount of
this product in terms of dyeing goes a very long way, as the product easily stains almost
any surface.
Silver Methylacetylide C3H3Ag Rhodanide & Axt Silver Nitrate is dissolved in distilled water. Next, a bottle of MAPP (Methyacetylene-
Propadiene-Propane)

which has been purchased from the hardware store is set up with a modified welding gas
adapter connected to a rubber tube. A glass tube is fitted to the end of the tube and is led
into the AgNO3 soln. Gas flow is started, however precipitate may not immediately
appear. Within minutes or less, a flocculent white precipitate of AgC3H3 forms. Continue
gas flow for a further few minutes, then turn it off. Filter the white solid, further referred
to as SMADS. A fair yield should be obtained if all goes well, as there is little to no AgCl
precipitate when NaCl is added to the filtrate. Use a small volume of filtrate to test this. If
AgCl is observed, continue gas flow for a further

few minutes through the filtrate to improve yield. SMADS is a fluffy white to grey
powder with no odor. SMADS

decomposes violently upon heating, friction or impact with a deep, but not deafening
report. Note: “The name ‘SMADS’ refers to the related compound SADS. It is not known
whether this compound is a singular component or a double-salt - hence the ‘DS’ in
SMADS & SADS for clarity and recognition - as opposed to the acronym ‘SMA’ which
may have many meanings.” -Rhodanide
Silver Nitrate AgNO3 VSEPR_VOID FW nitric acid w/ 1 oz apmex silver 99.9% round. The solution was slightly blue from
copper in the coin
Sodium iodide NaI LearnedAmateur A small lump (0.05-0.1g) of sodium metal is placed with a few prills of iodine in a test
tube. Both are heated together using a blowtorch until ignition is achieved, where a large
volume of white smoke (sodium iodide) is observed. Easy and fast to conduct because
both elements change states at relatively low temperatures hence react within a few
seconds. There is also some sodium peroxide or superoxide generated as pale yellow
masses.

A proof of concept reaction akin to other related demonstrations, such as aluminium and
chlorine, or fluorine and steel wool to show reactivities of elements.
Sodium orthoperiodate Na2H3IO6 woelen http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/expsNa2H3IO6/index.html http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/expsNa2H3IO6/index.html
Tetraamine Copper (II) Hydroxide [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2](OH)2
VSEPR_VOID The electrolysis of copper (both electrodes made of Cu wire from scrap) in a solution of
1:1 tap water and household ammonia. Copper metal in the form of a fluffy clumps was
also produced at the cathode along with small amounts of copper hydroxide
Tetraethyl orthosilicate SiC8H20O4 12thealchemist Ethanolysis of silicon sulphide, itself prepared by union of the elements. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=82809
LearnedAmateur An experiment into copper complexes using basified phenylethylamine mixed with copper
Tetraphenylethylammine copper nitrate I'm too old for this
nitrate solution, following the rules of amine complexes.

Notes: is not explosive and takes some effort to ignite - does not sustain combustion but
produces a smell similar to burning plastic, with a residue of copper oxides (red-black
powder). Product is collected as a green coloured powder which is insoluble in water. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=79783#pid504067
Trinitrophenol C6H3N3O7 Velzee 11.44g of salicylic acid was added to 48mL of 95% H2SO4 and then heated between 115°
-120°C for one hour. After the hour, it was allowed to cool to 85°C and then 25.8g of
KNO3 was slowly added so that the temperature remained between 95°—100°C; if the
temperature rises above this, NO2 is generated profusely. After all KNO3 is added, the
mixture is allowed to cool down to room temperature for around 25 mins. When
sufficiently cool, ice water is added (if not cool enough, NO2 is generated), precipitating
the rest of the yellow foamy product. A recrystallization is done that yields either beautiful
long yellow crystals when cooled slowly, or a pale yellow ‘flaky’ powder. The product
should remain submerged in water until desired time of use.
White Phosphorus P4 VSEPR_VOID Heating red phosphorus. (Note: Please exclude oxigen from this reaction or white
phosphorus pentoxide will be made instead.)
Potassium (bis)Tricyanonickelate(I) K4[Ni2(CN)6] Rhodanide Aqueous solutions of Potassium Cyanide & Nickel(II) Chloride are combined, with
Cyanide in excess to form a yellow solution of Potassium Tetracyanonickelate(II). This
solution is made strongly basic with the addition of solid Potassium Hydroxide.
(Alternatively, Sodium amalgam can be used for the reduction and the Hydroxide
excluded.) The basic Cyanonickelate(II) solution is added to a test tube and Toluene is
added to form a protective layer on top. Zinc granules are added and Hydrogen is formed.
The formed Potassium (bis)Tricyanonickelate(I) will go into solution where it can be
identified by its blood-red coloration. Atmospheric O2 oxidizes the compound.
Salicylic Acid C7H6O3 Abromination Add 10g acetylsalicylic acid to a 1 liter flask with 40mL azeotropic HCl dissolved in
500mL dist. water. Heat until all ASA is disolved and reflux for one hour. Let the salicylic
acid fully crystalize, filter and wash repeatedly with water. Dry and store in a sealed
container.
Tincture exctraction method: Add 60mL iodine tincture to a 250mL flask. Slowly add
70mL azeotropic HCl to the tincture and stirr. SLOWLY add 60mL 3% H2O2 and mix.
Place flask in an ice bath and let all iodine precipitate. Filter and dry iodine, sublime and
Iodine I2 Abromination collect pure crystals on a cold flask.