Blast Wrangler

Since I'll be bringing up a bunch of starting material in the next few weeks this is the first of many ridiculously large reactions. There is the possibility of explosion in this one (mostly right at the begining) hence the blast "wrangler" (really called the blast shield but it would mostly focus/wrangle the blast). I just left it up cause well its safer and has more of a bad ass effect in the hood. The actual reaction is just adding Sodium Azide to N-Acetylsulfonyl chloride.

New Project

Zaragozic Acid C

So I'm changing focus at work. My new project is going to involve finishing the above molecule. Its been made before but our way is pretty cool and creative compared to the old methods. I don't want to say any more cause it hasn't been published yet but he's a link to info about previous work on the molecule. This molecule is going to be a beast. Incidentally the link is part of another chemistry blog I check out sometimes. Previous Work

Xtal

I grew these crystals over the course of 4 days last week. Its an alpha cyano amide. The crystals should be white but I thought they looked pretty sweet with the brown color (they came from a completely opaque brown solution so I was thrilled I got crystals). They also were huge so I took a picture.

Signs

EHS (Environmental Health and Saftey) recently posted the warning signs outside of our lab for anyone who is coming into the building such as a fireman during an emergency. With this sign in front of the room you spend 12 hours a day in would you want to come to work? My personal favorite is reproductive toxin.