Ether has been disappearing from most shops last year. Taken out of business.
Now I just found out my favorite, online Diethyl Ether supplier also no longer
sells Diethyl Ether.
This is exactly why I want to learn how to make my own Solvents, Bases & Acids.
If one day policies tighten further and Solvents like Ether, Naphtha & Limonene
become unavailable to the general public, I want to be able to make my own from
abundant, natural sources.
Here's some more DIY knowledge;
Diethyl Ether production(from Ethanol):
Recently I learned Diethyl Ether can be made by mixing Ethanol with Sulfuric Acid.
That mixture is then gently heated and destilled. Destillate is Diethyl Ether.
Should be mixed with aqueous NaOH-NaCl solution, Layers separated in separatory funnel.
Aqueous layer is to be discarder, toplayer of Diethyl Ether is to be redestilled
once more.
The refinement goes on a bit more.
The Process can be learned here:
Making Ethanol
Simple as pie. Add Molasses, Barley, Sugarcanes, Sugar, Yeast & Water to
a large container. Allow to yeast, be patient. Once fermentation is done
filter out solids & destill the liquid to yield Ethanol as Destillate.
This Ethanol can be used to extract compounds & to make Diethyl Ether.
Making NaOH:
This Youtube video describes a process in which a NaCl-in-Water solution
is electrolysed with charcoil electrodes to Yield NaOH + Chlorine gas:
Does anyone know if this works? If it does, the water of the NaOH solution
should be evaporated off and voila: solid NaOH.
Now these are exactly the kind of synthesises I seek: Those that can make
Solvents, Acids& Bases that are needed in alkaloid-extractions, especially
relatively easy Teks that can be done without all too suffisticated equipment
and from readily available sources.
So if you know any such synths that can make such extraction-aiding chemicals
please share them here with us.