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Fumarate->Freebase: Sodium carbonate vs bicarbonate

Migrated topic.

ListenPlease

Traveling light
Hey all,

I'm about to give the Sodium Carbonate Paste and Pull method a go, but there's something I'd like to understand:

Am I right that the conversion takes place pretty much as soon as the sodium carbonate solution comes in contact with the fumarate? I.e. the IPA/acetone step is simply there to isolate the freebase from the excess sodium carb?

I've also heard of people using the "ghetto" Sodium bicarb method to convert to freebase. However, in the latter, I've always understood that a bit of heat was needed in order for the reaction to take place.

The real question: Why is heat needed for sodium bicarb but (apparently) not for sodium carb?

Thanks!
 
It's best to make your own food-grade sodium carbonate by heating sodium bicarbonate. The bicarbonate decomposes at a little below 100°C to produce sodium carbonate.

Have a little read of this.
 
Sodium Bicarbonate = NaHCO3

Sodium Carbonate = Na2CO3


Very different compounds. Na2CO3 is way stronger as a base compared to NaHCO3.

The bicarb is a crystalline powder most of the times

Sodium carbonate is always more flour like and less crystalline.
 
Ulim said:
The bicarb is a crystalline powder most of the times

Sodium carbonate is always more flour like and less crystalline.
Funny, I would have said the exact opposite!

The basicity explanation is correct, of course :)
 
Thanks for the responses, now clear.

However:

downwardsfromzero said:
It's best to make your own food-grade sodium carbonate by heating sodium bicarbonate.

Are you mentioning this because there are typically impurities in what is sold as "pure sodium carbonate"?
 
Usually NaHCO3 is made in the same process as Na2CO3 so both should be food safe.

But usually you will find NaHCO3 way easier in good quality (food quality). Baking powder/Baking Soda = NaHCO3 in most cases. Do look at the label tho.

Na2CO3 is mostly sold for washing clothes and similar so its usually pretty much non food safe.
You can find it in food quality tho.
 
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