Exotic Golden Powder compositions

Retrieved: 12/20/2014

I want to make some Golden Powder.

This composition is about 60% KNO3 and 40% ascorbic acid, but could work other organic acids? Something like oxalic acid maybe?

kratomiter
30-9-2012

Thanks for the answers!

ATM I've only find some info on KNO + citric acid, but it seems to burn quite slowly. I guess that ascorbic acid works because it polymerizes, right?

I'll try ASAP with oxalic acid.

hissingnoise
30-9-2012

Oxalic acid is a poor fuel when compared to ascorbic acid which you can buy here.

unionised
30-9-2012

Am I the only one who read this"

"The solid golden cake can be crushed with a mortar and pestle safely and easily to a golden powder. " and thought F***!

hissingnoise
30-9-2012

Well, a good BP puck can often withstand a few, fairly sharp hammer blows...

If friction sensitivity isn't too high GP shouldn't be particularly hazardous, since it won't detonate!

Bot0nist
30-9-2012

I agree that pulverizing should be fine. Potassium nitrate is not known to create impact sensitive compositions, IIRC. KCLO3 is another case...

niertap
9-10-2012

I think ascorbic acid works so well is because it has not free carboxylic acids and the keto-enol area is quite easy to oxidize.

In theory something that can decompose into carbon monoxide will mix much more rapidly and have a higher rate of oxidation than a carboxylic acid, which reacts much more awkwardly (mechanistically).

hissingnoise
10-10-2012

Ascorbic acid is somewhat unstable, undergoing a slow redox (even in dry air) which produces water making it appear slightly deliquescent...