Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: eric2011 on 07/06/2022 11:45:22

Title: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: eric2011 on 07/06/2022 11:45:22
Hi

Does anybody know how to extract Fluorine from mouthwash or any other liquid product that contain Sodium Fluoride. I seem not finding any tutorial video online
Title: Re: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: paul cotter on 07/06/2022 12:48:08
I have never checked mouthwash to ascertain the quantity of fluoride present but I would imagine it's quite small as fluoride is a POTENTIALLY toxic element. While good for our teeth too much is dangerous forming a low solubility salt with the calcium in our circulation. There are easier ways to obtain inorganic fluoride: a thermite reaction of magnesium and Teflon. This however is a dangerous procedure being quite violent and you risk producing the highly toxic gas perfluoroisobutylene if the constituents are not intimately mixed.
Title: Re: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: eric2011 on 07/06/2022 13:07:59
I know I can buy it online but I am fascinated by this chemical fluoride. And I just want to do some expereiments extracting it but I dont know easiere and non toxic ways
Title: Re: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: paul cotter on 07/06/2022 13:16:36
As far as I remember(gettin' old) sodium fluoride was once used as a rat poison. All soluble fluoride salts should be regarded as hazardous toxins.
Title: Re: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: Bored chemist on 07/06/2022 18:53:27
If all you want is a sample for an element collection, you can probably precipitate calcium fluoride from the mouthwash by adding a soluble calcium salt such as the acetate.

There is not very much fluoride in mouthwash.
Title: Re: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: eric2011 on 07/06/2022 20:44:49
If all you want is a sample for an element collection, you can probably precipitate calcium fluoride from the mouthwash by adding a soluble calcium salt such as the acetate.

There is not very much fluoride in mouthwash.

Its just for element collection sample. Can you share a link or can you describe a bit in detail how to do it I mean what happens after calcium acetate
Title: Re: How to extract Fluoride from Mouthwash?
Post by: chiralSPO on 10/06/2022 15:31:37
you can buy calcium fluoride (fluorite) crystals fairly cheaply. Many of them are very pleasing octahedral shapes (for example, a quick google search shows:

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