Making my favorite liquid carcinogen

The speaker introduces their favorite chemical, chromel chloride, a chromium-based compound known for its toxicity, carcinogenic properties, corrosiveness, and potential explosiveness. Despite its dangerous nature, the speaker appreciates its volatile and colorful characteristics, comparing its risk level to everyday substances like table salt and sarin gas. The process of creating chromel chloride involves sourcing chromium from potassium dichromate and sodium chloride (preferably pickling salt to avoid iodine interference). The preparation involves blending these ingredients thoroughly, which is crucial for the reaction's efficiency. The setup for the reaction includes an addition funnel, a three-way adapter, a thermometer, and a condenser column, all designed to prevent leakage and control the reaction.

The video script details the chemical reactions involved in producing chromel chloride. Initially, sulfuric acid reacts with salt and dichromate to form chromium trioxide and hydrogen chloride gas. These products then combine to form chromel chloride. The importance of thorough mixing is emphasized to ensure the hydrogen chloride reacts promptly with chromium trioxide, preventing its escape as a gas. The reaction is exothermic, releasing heat, and can potentially get out of control if not conducted with cold acid. After adding the acid, the mixture is allowed to settle before additional cold sulfuric acid is introduced, causing the reaction to bubble and release hydrogen chloride gas. The speaker uses a heating mantle to boil the chromel chloride, separating it from side products, and condenses the vapors using an ice bath. The process concludes with the collection of the red, blood-like liquid in a flask, sealed with a sulfuric acid-coated stopper.

The speaker discusses the handling and testing of chromel chloride, noting its tendency to react with moisture in the air and form solid chunks. To purify the chemical, it is left to sit overnight, allowing solids to separate, and then filtered. The yield is measured, revealing a 67% efficiency, attributed to the use of a blender for mixing the initial ingredients. The speaker then explores the chemical's properties by adding it to a dish, observing its dark color and fuming nature, and comparing it to bromine. Chromel chloride is shown to react with glass, and its vapors are noted to be toxic and corrosive. The speaker also demonstrates the chemical's reactivity with sodium sulfite, which reduces it to a safer, green oxidation state.

The script continues with experiments on the reactivity of chromel chloride. It is added to water, demonstrating its density and reaction to produce hydrogen chloride gas. The speaker also tests its potential explosiveness by burning it on a watch glass, noting its decomposition into chlorine, oxygen, and chromium compounds. Further tests involve adding chromel chloride to ethanol, aniline, and sulfur, observing mild reactions and comparing these to other strong oxidizers. The reaction with toluene is highlighted, forming a complex that the speaker anticipates might ignite but does not. The potential to convert toluene to benzaldehyde, a chemical with a cherry smell, is mentioned, though the experiment does not yield a detectable scent.

The final paragraph covers the storage of chromel chloride, which is prone to leakage even in well-sealed containers. The speaker demonstrates making an ampule by heating a test tube and stretching it to form a thin neck, which is then filled with the chemical and sealed by melting the glass. The ampule is tested for leaks and stored. The speaker also discusses their decision to rely on ad revenue and Patreon for channel support, explaining their preference for a more personal community and the launch of YouTube memberships as an alternative. The video concludes with a thank you to Patreon supporters and an invitation for viewers to join the YouTube community for additional perks.