In this video we make sodium metal from menthol, sodium hydroxide, magnesium, baby oil, and a some lithium if necessary.

First, we get a flask and add in 14g of magnesium metal, this can be obtained from fire starters. Then we add in 20g of sodium hydroxide which is acquired from drain opener. Now the key catalyst is 1-2g of menthol crystals, these can easily be bought online. A magnetic stir bar should be added at this point. On top we add in 125mL of mineral oil, i recommend hypoallergenic baby oil. Finally, 3g of sodium metal is added to jump start the reaction and serve as a drying agent. If this cannot be obtained then the lithium hacked out of an AA energizer battery can be used.

The reaction mixture is connected to a gas bubbler and a thermometer is inserted. Magnetic stirring is applied and the contents kept suspended to prevent hot spots.

The mixture is heated to 120-130 celsius for 2 hours or until bubbling stops, whichever comes first. What's happening is the sodium or lithium metal jump start is reacting with any moisture present and destroying it. This is necessary to prevent damage to the glassware from the highly caustic reaction mixture at higher temperatures. If this damage is acceptable then the jump starter metal may be ignored.

After 2 hours or when the bubbling stops, heating is increased to 200 Celsius. Sodium metal is produced here as the magnesium reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium, magnesium oxide, and hydrogen. Menthol serves as the catalyst, allowing this reaction to proceed in a controlled fashion at 200 Celsius. Other catalysts like tertiary alcohols or borneol may also be used.

Heating is continued until bubbling stops, about 30-40 hours in the case of menthol. After cooling, the sodium can be boiled in dioxane to separate excess magnesium. Alternatively, the sodium can be remelted into an ingot, and the excess magnesium cut away as it tends to settle at the bottom.

Approx yield is 10.9g or 94%


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