I know that rubbing alcohol is drinkable alcohol that has been "denatured", or has had a poison added to it that renders it undrinkable by causing gastric distress. If set out the alcohol part of rubbing alcohol will evaporate clean away. But will the added poison for sure evaporate clean away also, or will it leave a (poison) residue behind? Other forums claim it will evaporate away and leave absolutely nothing, such that it can be used to prepare consumables provided that the end product is dried. Im not so sure the poison is an evaporant. Im planning on evaporating some soon to look for a residue, but Im curious whether anyone knows for 100% sure? What is the poison added to denature rubbing alcohol. thx.
Isopropanol is not denatured ethanol. It has three carbons, not two. It is already poisonous, so there's no need to denature it.
Right - drinkable alcohol is 'undenatured' ethanol. However "rubbing alcohol" refers to an isopropanol / water dilution. Usually 70% but they sell in lower and higher concentrations at the pharmacy. The reason isopropanol is toxic is because your liver breaks it down mostly into acetone, yum. What's the procedure being discussed, hypothetically? If you're using it as a solvent for something just let it evaporate to dryness in a warm ventilated area, no worries at all. If the water content is an issue make a supersaturated solution of rubbing alcohol and Sodium Chloride (table salt), it should separate; the IPA is the top layer. Decant and then dry the top layer with dried Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom salt) if you like. Relatively dry isopropanol easy and OTC. Serves one, garnish with lime and umbrella.
Thanks for the responses. SWIM was curious about the solvent aspect of cheap IPA; Wasnt entirely convinced that as akaloids solidify into a tar residue, that some IPA wouldnt somehow become trapped in the hardening muck unable to evaporate and then be consumed. --cactus
alcohols of 4 carbons or more are the ones that linger in room temp, and need to be heated to evaporate. Methanol, ethanol, and propanol/isopropanol all evaporate readily.
