Assisted nucleation?

[dooby]

Hello,

Before I transfer my solvent to the freezer, I have it in my fridge for at least 24 hours...

Since the molecules aren't moving around much I occasionally swirl the container to increase the probability of molecules meeting eachother or an already forming crystal.

I remember as kids we used to make super-saturated solutions (sugar? salt?) then put a paperclip hanging from a wire into the solution and a crystal would form around the paperclip...

Wouldn't it be nice if something similar could be done with dmt or other alkaloids?

I researched "non-polar substances" and the examples given were either gases or liquids, so for now the question would be "are there any known solids with a high non-polarity?" (prefarably with a smooth surface as to facilitate romoval of wanted crystals afterwards)

I have to admit I only did a little bit of reading on unassisted and assisted nucleation so it could well be that I'm totally missing the point here

PLUR

 

[downwardsfromzero]

Polyethylene is a non-polar solid, if that helps. You would want something that doesn't dissolve in your naphtha, so paraffin wax is probably best avoided in this instance. Or why not just use a paperclip? I don't think the non-polarity thing is particularly relevant here if all you're looking for is a nucleation point for crystal growth. And I have a feeling you're more likely to make a supersaturated solution if you don't keep swirling it around during the cooling process, although right now I can't explain why.