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w_aton
New Contributor III

deuterium complications

Saving time in a bottle

 

An accidental experiment

 

Place 100 ml of USP 70% isopropyl alcohol made with deionized water into an amber reagent glass bottle.  Cap bottle.

Let 100 ml of nitric acid approximately 47%w/v made with deionized water sit over night.

Remove cap and pour nitric into bottle.  Observe that no evidence of a reaction takes place.  Use protective gear in a well ventilated lab.  Note that a strong reaction will follow.  Cap bottle and withdraw to a safe distance.  Preferably behind a door with a fire and protective rating.  Note a person was briefly overcome by fumes and fire the first time the experiment took place and was taken away by paramedics.

The ceramic cap will break and a flame and vapor cloud will erupt but bottle should not be harmed.  Anything directly above will have paint etc removed in a round pattern.

 

It is believed that little acid/base reaction takes place since deionized water was used.  Note preparation of the nitric acid involves a turbulent exothermic process in which deuterium replaces hydrogen and must be allowed to continue to completion over night.  A similar process is presumed to happen in the preparation of the alcohol though it may not be as exothermic.

 

It is also believed that hydrogen peroxide is formed and reacts with some form of available carbon.  It is my belief that a catalytic form between nitric and alcohol fuses deuterium forming an intermediate and destroying alcohol making carbon available to the peroxide causing a side reaction in addition to other reactions.

 

The take home lesson is that what was at first a safety factor became a serious liability.  The entire stoichiometry of the solutions and reactants changed leading to a false sense of security.  Few people know that the ph of a solution is altered by deuterium.  The place where this accidental experiment happened sold millions of dollars of drugs and drug chemicals and consumed thousands of liters of deuterium laced water.

 

This accident shows that deuterium can have unintended consequences and cause stoichiometric alterations with dramatic effect.

 

12/20/2020 wsa.

4 Replies
w_aton
New Contributor III

Re: deuterium complications

These deuterium complications are complicated by difficulties in measurement related to classical relativity.  What is not appreciated is the biological physiological nature of natural deuterium.

NestorC1
New Contributor

Re: deuterium complications

The accidental experiment described involves mixing deuterium-enriched substances, including deuterium-laced water, isopropyl alcohol, and nitric acid. Initially, no visible reaction occurs when nitric acid is added to the mixture. However, after capping the bottle and leaving it overnight, a violent reaction takes place, resulting in a flame and vapor cloud eruption. This unexpected outcome underscores the potential for deuterium to cause unforeseen reactions and alter  stoichiometry, even in seemingly simple chemical processes. It's a reminder of the complex nature of isotopic substitutions and their potential to lead to dramatic effects. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of understanding the implications of isotopic modifications in chemical reactions and the need for thorough safety assessments when working with such substances.

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sobhacrystalmead
New Contributor

Re: deuterium complications

At Sobha Crystal Meadows, the unintentional experiment involving the mixing of deuterium-enriched substances—such as deuterium-laced water, isopropyl alcohol, and nitric acid—took an unexpected turn. When nitric acid was first added to the mixture, there was no discernible response. But when the bottle was sealed and left overnight, something violent happened, resulting in the eruption of a cloud of mist and flames. This surprising result emphasizes how deuterium may change stoichiometry and trigger unanticipated reactions even in seemingly straightforward chemical reactions. It serves as a reminder of the intricacy of isotope replacements and their capacity to produce unexpected consequences, especially in settings such as Sobha Crystal Meadows. This event serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to comprehend the effects of isotopic changes in chemical

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AllanNawyer
New Contributor

Re: deuterium complications

It's crucial to emphasize that handling chemicals, especially reactive ones like nitric acid and isopropyl alcohol, requires strict adherence to safety protocols. In your described experiment, the interaction between nitric acid and isopropyl alcohol, particularly with the presence of deuterium, can indeed lead to unexpected and hazardous reactions. Deuterium, as an isotope of hydrogen, can influence reaction mechanisms and stoichiometry in ways that are not immediately apparent, leading to potentially dangerous outcomes.

In the scenario you described, the lack of an immediate reaction followed by a violent one highlights the importance of understanding all aspects of chemical interactions, including isotopic effects. This accident underscores the need for comprehensive safety procedures and awareness of all chemical properties involved.

For managing and documenting experiments safely, tools and resources like the cricplus app can provide valuable support. They offer features that help track chemical reactions and safety measures, potentially preventing such accidents in the future. Always ensure proper safety equipment and training are in place to handle such experiments safely.

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