Safe GBL?

[mingaa]

Hey all,

I been lurking in the forums for some time and thought it was time i posted a question, so here goes.

Where i live GBL/GHB has been harder and harder to come by in recent times an i have explored alternative ways to get the goods. I have found a source of GBL which is marketed as a product which is commonly used, i have also acquired a MSDS for said product which states the product contains 100% GBL.

So my question is although MSDS states 100% GBL can the product contain anything else that may be harmful?

any help appreciated

Mingaa!

[MrG]

I would find it hard to believe that it is 100% GBL, the manufacturing process results in *some* impurities regardless of stated quality.

Maybe you mean that the product you are researching is GBL that does not have any chemical additives? The quality of the actual GBL is usually listed about 99.97 or 99.98, which is fine.

BTW please read the forum rules and do not incriminate yourself (very fine line with your post I know but it looks as if you are unaware of the rules) use SWIM (someone who isn't me) instead of I.

[mingaa]

First off, Thanks for the reply. I'm going to make this a little clearer as i was quite vague in my first post.

SWIM means that the product is available OTC no questions asked which isn't the case for straight GBL in this country unlike the UK for example where there are ads all over Google for the stuff. but the real question is how accurate would the MSDS be? i.e could there be some other shit in there which could cause harm for someone taking the stuff or would it be quite accurate.

Is there any way to test for other shit in there or the purity of the product?

[MrG]

Originally Posted by mingaa

SWIM means that the product is available OTC no questions asked which isn't the case for straight GBL in this country

Again I am finding it difficult to understand your differentiation between this "product" which is claiming to be 100% GBL and is available over-the-counter and "straight GBL" which is scheduled in your country.

Without wanting to discuss sources one can only advise this:

An MSDS provided by a major chemical manufacturer is unlikely to be false as this would likely lead them to major litigation.

If a supplier is all cloak-and-dagger about the product they are selling then the MSDS they provide is less likely to be reliable.

If SWIY absolutely insists that he wants to take the chance with his "100%" GBL then he would be advised to check a few things.

The liquid should be completely clear
The liquid should not have a readable pH - E.G Test it and if the testing paper or liquid turns a different colour then it *has* a pH, something that GBL does not.
The liquid should smell similar to "warm vinyl garden hose"

If the liquid fails any of the above three tests then it is likely that the product is not GBL.

The above test does *not*, however, prove that the "product" *is* GBL.

[mingaa]

Thanks again for your help Mr G, the source is from a major company so i do not have any qualms in regards to there MSDS, the liquid is completely clear and smells as described. The only thing which i haven't tried is to test the PH level which i will do next time.

[Pondlife]

I'm not sure what's on your MSDS, but here's an example spec for GBL from a supplier in the UK. I've seen similar from other suppliers too. If you've got something like this, then it's GBL:

Product Specifications      Value    Method

Assay, % minimum            99.9     STI8460
Water, % maximum             0.02    STI8432
Color, APHA maximum         20       STI8415
1,4 Butanediol, ppm max.     2.0     STI8415
Acid, wt, % max              0.03    STI8461
Foreign matter              none     STI8412
THF, area % max.             0.05     
Acetal, area ppm max.       50       STI8460

Another thing you sometimes see is "EL" or "Electronic specification", which puts limits on the levels of some impurities which are of concern for electronics use. Sometimes the maximum levels of these impurities is also give. Here's an example from the same UK supplier:

Chloride, wt. ppm max      0.30
Sulfate, wt. ppm max       1.00
Nitrate, wt. ppm max       1.00
Iron, wt. ppm max          0.05
Copper, wt. ppm max        0.05
Zinc, wt. ppm max          0.05
Lead, wt. ppm max          0.05
Sodium, wt. ppm max        0.50
Potassium, wt. ppm max     0.50

Regarding the pH, I've never actually measured it but I don't think pH is defined for liquids without water, so I'm not sure if the pH of pure GBL is something that could be measured.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Spot on mate, damn I can't believe I never questioned the pH issue before!

[MrG]

^^^ Holy shit Pondy, you are quite right. I had *never* actually thought about that fact. During research I had seen reference to a pH of 4 and just assumed it to be true but that must have been wrong.

If one were to put a few drops on Universal Paper it doesn't change colour so the mistake is thinking that results in a pH reading of 4 when in fact it results in no reading at all.

SWIM just tested with Universal Paper *and* also with a swimming pool tester (phenol red) with which he compared tap water and tap water mixed with GBL, guess what, both came back the same colour!

Doh!

[darkglobe]

Oopsy.... I just posted a duplicate thread asking the same question as mingaa...

So this "99.9% GBL Pavement Cleaner" will do? Tidy!

Thanks for your interesting posts, MrG.