Acquiring Petroleum Ether

[Oilmeister]

Apparently petroleum ether can be extracted from certain camping fuels with a water bath and precise temperature control. If anyone has pictures of a practical setup, I'd like to see it. Azeotrope mentioned that n-hexane can be obtained from certain VHS head cleaning fluids. Any other chemical sources would be appreciated. Chemicals I'm looking for are hexane, heptane, pentane, pet. ether.

 

[Chiefsmokingbud]

I did some heptane, have a thread on it around here somewhere

 

[Oilmeister]

I've been looking through some of your threads however, I can't seem to find it. If you happen to come across it, maybe you could forward it to me, thanks Chief

 

[rekiz]

the only way I know of obtaining ether is through hobby shops but be prepared to pay $$$$$.... they use it to fuel model air planes.
or buy quick start or whatever its called.. its used to start motors on cold days you just spray a little into the carbi and away you go.... 100% ether

 

[zymos]

I repeat, for those of you on drugs, petroleum ether is NOT "ether"...

To the OP, isn't p.e. often referred to as "Naptha"? I'm pretty sure I've seen it in the solvent section of Home Depot or whatever...

 

[rekiz]

Sorry zymos but where the fck did you say that in this thread..... not saying that your wrong more than likely your wright but before you roast someone perhaps you should explain why...

not all of us are young enough to know everything...you will find that these forums are for sharing knoweldge... so if you know something I dont please share.....

 

[zymos]

It was probably the last thread about this-people kept confusing the two: petroleum "ether" and diethyl ether.Starter fluid is the other kind of ether, not pe.

It wasn't a roast, just a joke, try lightening up...

 

[Verite]

 

[Guest]

Verite -

I love that curious george bit. Ether is not to be "played" with eh?

 

[Oilmeister]

Just to clarify, I'm refering to Petroleum ether...a mix of hydrocarbons. Not to be confused with ethyl ether which has a greater propensity for big booms.

 

[zymos]

As you said, a mix of hydrocarbons- so, since camping fuel is probably going to be a bit vague about actual boiling points, it seems you'd need to do a bit of experimenting to dial it in for a certain brand...

PS your first post was totally clear-it just seems people sometimes see the word "ether" and think of old Bugs Bunny cartoons (and Curious George I guess...?)

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Just curious.OM,but what do you need the petro ether for?
I've got a line on a Hospital/lab type Isomizer,and this sounds like one of the food grade solvents that can be used.
Along w/hexane ,and some others.
Am i on the right track here,or just way baked?
Real pure old school Hash OIl FRIGGING
Something bout this proscess changing Delta9 into Delta6,which reacts w/more psycoactive receptors in our alegged brains

Shit i'm all stoned,& rambeling again

PEACE,& PETRO ETHER;1TT

 

[TricksR4Kids]

I know this is old, but NEVER USE HEXANE.

Pet ether is different from "ether" (diethyl ether). Both can be used however. Just make sure you get them all out. Both are used to make prescription drugs and many other plant extracts, but neither of them are good for you in large doses.

 

[Gray Wolf]

I know this is old, but NEVER USE HEXANE.

Pet ether is different from "ether" (diethyl ether). Both can be used however. Just make sure you get them all out. Both are used to make prescription drugs and many other plant extracts, but neither of them are good for you in large doses.

Why not use hexane?

GW

 

[Gray Wolf]

Apparently petroleum ether can be extracted from certain camping fuels with a water bath and precise temperature control. If anyone has pictures of a practical setup, I'd like to see it. Azeotrope mentioned that n-hexane can be obtained from certain VHS head cleaning fluids. Any other chemical sources would be appreciated. Chemicals I'm looking for are hexane, heptane, pentane, pet. ether.

Sigma-Aldrich has what you need on line @ www.sigmaaldrich.com.

Heptane is commercially available as the rubber cement solvent "Bestine" and the outdoor stove fuel "Powerfuel" by Primus.

Hexane is used as a zero deposit contact cleaner under 1,1,1,2 Tetrafluoroethane.

GW

 

[berlinweed]

You can get clean petroleum ether in a pharmacy (do not confuse it with diethyl ether !!!).

Be aware petroleum ether is inflammable, do it only outside.


BW

 

[Chiefsmokingbud]

Well almost all camping fuels that I know of have a rust inhibitor in them. Does this water bath get rid of that?

 

[berlinweed]

Well almost all camping fuels that I know of have a rust inhibitor in them. Does this water bath get rid of that?

Not sure, but why taking a risk when 1 litre clean petroleum ether will cost you only a few $$$ more?

In Germany you pay ca. 8.5 $ for a litre... okay plus shipping a bit more :smile:

BW

 

[G.O. Joe]

Actually I think most brands of starting fluid contain about the same amount if not more heptane than ether. They can be easily separated by fractional distillation, most people who do this do it for the ether. I suppose heptane could be distilled out of mixtures if you don't have Bestine available.
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

So, if a large amount of starting fluid evaporates without any residue, then why not use it as is? Not only does ether (like butane) pose a serious fire threat because of its extreme volatility and ease of ignition, ether (unlike most any other solvent) is rapidly oxidized to an extent in air. If it is exposed to air for a long time as it is evaporating, the peroxides get concentrated as the ether is evaporated, until you have nothing but highly explosive material and extract.

Talking about petroleum ether, this is a really vague product with a wide potential in boiling points. You want the lowest boiling stuff (which is why hexane is great, except for the increased accidental fire hazard). Read the MSDS. You will probably see that camping fuel and VM&P are on the higher boiling side. The less volatile the solvent, the greater and longer access to air and thus the darker the product.

I simple distill (bp in the 50's centigrade) mine out of an industrial silicone (maybe 1% silicone oil) lubricant from a local solvent supplier.

None of you are going to be able to obtain shit directly from Sigma-Aldrich. Think smaller.

 

[Gray Wolf]

None of you are going to be able to obtain shit directly from Sigma-Aldrich. Think smaller.

Or larger. They sell to businesses.........................

GW