VanDyke Precipitate
Richard Sullivan (richsul@roadrunner.com)
Fri, 12 Sep 1997 14:34:47 -0600
>
> Richard,
>
> The additional tartaric acid did the trick (i.e. dissolved the
> precipitate). However, it didn't happen right away. In fact,
> when I added my last little bit of tartaric acid (mixed in a
> bit of distilled water) to the VanDyke solution, I was
> disappointed at the lack of results. I put it back in the
> chemical cupboard with the expectation that I needed more
> tartaric. To my delight, when I checked the solution two days
> later, the precipitate was gone. Perhaps this is like boiling
> water, it only works when you are not looking.
>
> Thanks for the advice.
>
> Mac Cosgrove-Davies
>
Mac,
My solution is usually warm, say 100 Deg F. and I use a big magnetic
stirrer whizzing furiously. That may make a difference. I am also looking
while I do it. I'll bet a coupla hits in the old microwave will do it.
Microwaves make things dissolve from their action beyond just the heat
generated. Ferric oxalate goes into solution nicely and from observation
much faster than just heating it up. It must jiggle the molecules something
fierce.
Cheers
Dick
Bostick & Sullivan
PO Box 16639, Santa Fe
NM 87506
505-474-0890 FAX 505-474-2857
http://www.bostick-sullivan.com