The Laboratory Synthesis of Interesting Chemicals

The Chem Lab was created to be a free reference on the synthesis of interesting chemical compounds. Just what exactly defines interesting? Many of these chemicals have a certain stigma attached to them because of the potential for harm they could cause society.  Other chemicals are vital to chemists as they are necessary to carry out even the most basic laboratory experiments.  Chemicals such as explosives, drugs, and pesticides are crucially important for the evolution of our civilization.  Unfortunately, the scientific elite jealously hoards the knowledge on using and preparing these chemicals. Adding to the confusion are the scientifically ignorant and the mass media who fear all things chemistry, and perpetuate superstitious beliefs that chemicals are somehow evil. One of my chemistry professors summed up this public attitude quite succinctly: "chemistry equals bad."

Chemicals such as explosives, chemical weapons, poisons, and drugs are excellent educational tools to stimulate an interest in the chemical sciences precisely because of the strong controversy and sense of the forbidden they conjure in the minds of almost everyone.  If you were to poll any size sample of professional chemists, asking about the root origins of what first made them gravitate towards chemistry as a career, invariably they will trace the first spark of interest to some dynamic demonstration, an explosion, fireworks, smoke, fire, light, noise, adrenaline…  Students choose a career in science because somewhere along the line it captivated and inspired them.  No one decides to become a chemist after sitting through an interminable lecture on thermodynamics, or after reading about the latest methodologies in HPLC.

Sadly, the future of all science is in jeopardy of being destroyed by the inept bungling of our well intentioned government.  Chemistry sets have been watered down to the point where they are suitable only for preschoolers; essentially they no longer exist.  Each year the legislature releases an ever growing list of chemicals that have been banned, restricted, or placed on watch lists because some ignorant fool complains.  In Australia, a bill was introduced that would have banned water!  The government in its overeagerness to protect us from ourselves never bothers to learn what chemicals they are banning, they just sign anything thrust in front of their faces with a few votes attached.  A petition to ban water, referred to as dihydrogen monoxide using a more erudite nomenclature, was also the subject of an award winning science fair project that gathered quite a few signatures.  The general public is already conditioned to such a profound degree to reject chemicals that they accept any and all legislation without considering the consequences of such a law.

All chemicals, even water, are inherently dangerous if misused or mishandled.  Chemicals are also great tools that can benefit all of mankind.  Many of the chemicals presented in the Chem Lab are especially dangerous to the unwary and inexperienced.  An admonishment that only trained chemists should ever attempt chemical experimentation is absurd because the only way you acquire such training is through chemical experimentation.  However, you must learn the basics before attempting scientific research that requires skill and experience.

Familiarity with chemicals, laboratory techniques, and proper laboratory safety is not something necessarily taught at the university level, but is instead something acquired by spending time experimenting in the laboratory.  Chemistry is not conducted In books or computers, nor is it learned simply through reading just as you do not learn to drive by reading the operators manual.  Chemistry is something that must be experienced first hand in the lab.  Reading about chemistry will prepare you to maximize your time and effort spent in the lab, as well as to prevent the loss of valuable chemicals and equipment, so it is still an essential prerequisite.

The chemical syntheses in the Chem Lab are written in a similar style to undergraduate laboratory textbooks. These are not “recipes.” Recipes are what you find in a cookbook for preparing food. A basic understanding of laboratory skills is assumed, but no small amount of effort has been made to present the material with explanations of special equipment, links to the appropriate techniques, to fully convert all molar masses to grams or milliliters, and to provide special safety warnings where appropriate.

All of the references used to write these procedures have been derived from professionally published journals, books, encyclopedias, and patents. I do not rely on websites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, text files, or poorly written crapbooks to supply any information regarding the synthesis of chemicals. Let me reiterate and reinforce this concept: All of the information is derived from professionally published literature.

The Chem Lab is the work of only one man, so do not be surprised if some information is incomplete.  Chemical information is continually being added to the site. Every attempt has been made to insure the accuracy of all information, but there are always mischievous computers that like to change things for their twisted pleasure. I will not personally vouch for any of these procedures, nor will I assist anyone with information regarding the synthesis of an explosive, prescription drug, or chemical weapon. This may be misconstrued as conspiracy by the fedgov. While all of the information on this website is perfectly legal, it may be against the law in certain jurisdictions to prepare some of these chemicals without the proper license. Making any kind of chemical is immoral in the USA, and will eventually result in you being burned at the stake as a witch. Consider a less politically incorrect hobby like staring out a window.

The other sections of the Rogue Science website have been designed to support the Chem Lab in one way or another.  If by chance you happen to find any errors or omissions of the information in the Chem Lab, and you can supply a verifiable literature source, please use the contacts section to get in touch with me.  Any person who has written their own chemical synthesis of a compound that is appropriate for the Chem Lab, or who has references for the synthesis of such compounds, is encouraged to submit the information to Rogue Science using the "Submit your Science" section of the Contacts area.