If you have a non-polar (naphtha) mixture that you suspect has DMT (what you want) and oils/fats/waxes (what you don't want) there is a simple solution:
- Get vinegar, the clear kind used for making preserves.
- isolate your naphtha from any polar phase that it floats on, if you haven't already.
- add a double to triple amount of vinegar to the naphtha (100 ml naphtha means add 300 ml vinegar).
- shake well, hard and long. Over several days if you like. You're doing a 'reverse' extraction now; your goodies will go into the vinegar while your oils stay in the naphtha.
- Separate vinegar (polar phase) from the naphtha (non-polar phase). Discard naphtha.
- neutralize the vinegar. Use dissolved lye if you want, or saturated solution of Na2CO3. Your solution should become VERY cloudy, like milk, if there 's any substantial amount of DMT in there. It can take a lot of base. don't worry. If at any point you see crystals growing in the now-basified vinegar you've added WAY too much base.
- re-extract 3 times with naphtha, about 1 tenth of the volume of polar phase you have now. (500 ml watery-phase means 3 times with 50 ml naphtha)
- proceed with your naphtha phase as you normally would.
All of this is so much more fun if you invest in a glass separatory-funnel, mind you. Messing about with mason jars just doesn't do it for me.
Peace!
benzyme wrote:you're preparing drugs, not salad.