My first crystallisation Caffeine

Images made through a microscope. All subject types.

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dhmiller
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Re: My first crystallisation Caffeine

Post by dhmiller »

I think my favorite results currently are from urea, thiourea, beta-alanine and most of those mixed with glycine. That could keep you busy for a long time ;-). Some people melt their compounds on a slide on a hot plate, which I have tried, and others use a tea candle or a Bunsen burner to speed up crystallization. I prefer the hot plate, though I first create a solution in a test tube and then mix my solutions directly on the slide. Lots of options.

seta666
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Re: My first crystallisation Caffeine

Post by seta666 »

Thanks for the extra tips, I bought some of those already...😉

Harald
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Re: My first crystallisation Caffeine

Post by Harald »

Hi seta666,

Places to look for is your local pharmacy, work out shops (fitness) and health care shops...

That often have a variety of things to test out, give it a try
Kind Regards
Harald

Lier Fotoklubb / NSFF
AFIAP / CPS
BGF / GMV
http://www.500px.com/blender11

seta666
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Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:50 am
Location: Castellon, Spain

Re: My first crystallisation Caffeine

Post by seta666 »

Harald wrote:
Sat Apr 10, 2021 5:32 am
Hi seta666,

Places to look for is your local pharmacy, work out shops (fitness) and health care shops...

That often have a variety of things to test out, give it a try
Thanks, I want to talk to a friend who works at a pharmacy; they may have some things like paracetamol, aspirine iboprufen and such in pure form.
I bought some other thing from online health/fitness shops

Robert Berdan
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Re: My first crystallisation Caffeine

Post by Robert Berdan »

Hi Nice images of caffeine they mostly show those pointy needle like-crystals in water in my experience. Two suggestions to get other shaped crystals.

1. Melt the crystals on medium to low heat on the slide with a coverslip on top and they will form crystal sheets with more variability you can also remelt them several times.

2. Vary the solvent try alcohols or mix water and alcohol

Third of course is to experiment with different chemicals - some like Benozic acid can produce toxic fumes check the chemical online to see if might have noxious odors and the melting point. Vitamin C is easy and very beautiful when mixed in water and a bit of alcohol and allowed the solution to dry slowing on a microscope slide.

I have two articles about making crystals for microscopy that might be helpful as I make crystals of all sorts things like beer, sugars, and other chemicals - I am always searching. Some amino acids produce curved crystals that form beautiful patterns.

1. Curved crystals using amino acids.
https://www.canadiannaturephotographer. ... stals.html

2. Crystals of Everything else including beer
https://www.canadiannaturephotographer. ... light.html

Cheers
RB

seta666
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Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:50 am
Location: Castellon, Spain

Re: My first crystallisation Caffeine

Post by seta666 »

Thanks Robert for these extra tips, much appreciated. For sure I will check those tutorials..

Last week a receive a few things to play with, I will try something next week.

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