From: vail@tegra.com (Johnathan Vail)
Subject:  ARISIA.bob REPORT: Rocket Fuel or Drink Mix?
Organization: Tegra-Varityper, Inc. Billerica, MA
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 19:19:49 GMT




Well, this is the report of the latest ARISIA micro-bob happy hour.  I
am writing this on Den's notebook here at the convention.  He didn't
leave his cellular PCM-CIA modem so unfortunately I have to wait until
I get home or to Tegra to post it.

Attendance was a little smaller than expected (everyone must have been
watching Star Trek) but a good time was had by all.  The only notable
oldby was Zed who once again graced us with his presence.  A few t.b
lurkers were there as well as a couple of people just looking for a
party.

The only problem we had was that with the light turnout we had left
over refreshments.  Normally this wouldn't be a problem but with the
excellent catering provided by X industries we were posed with the
problem of disposing of several liters of strangely colored glowing
liquid.  Calling the X consumer hot-line wasn't much help.  The sales
clone explained that they didn't deal with toxic waste, just --and I
quote--"Interesting products with that fresh from the reactor taste."

Further prompting revealed that they didn't accept returns on opened
products because it would violate local health codes and international
strategic materials control treaties.  Damn the red tape.  So I dump
the stuff in the hall for a few hours but no one goes for the bait.

Then I remembered Zed was hosting an Arkham in 98 party.  So we stop
by his party, say hello, and ditch the stuff there.  Another success
for the NIMBY doctrine.  Sorry Zed.


For those who attended the ARISIA.bob and wanted the drink recipe we
have this excerpt from the X cookbook:


        NO2                                      ONO   O 
        |                                         |   || 
       / \ _COOH                  NH2    heat    / \ /  \NH
      | O |_COOH           +      |      ---->  | O |    |
       \ /                        NH2           |   |    NH
                                                 \ / \  /
    3-Nitrophthalic acid       Hydrazine              ||
       mp 222 C                                        O
       MW 211.13

                               Sodium hydrosulfite  ||
                                Na2S2O4             ||
                                 MW 174.10          ||
                                                    \/

                                               H2N    O
                                                 |    ||
                    (3-Aminophthalhydrazide)    /  \ /  \
                                   mp 332 C    |    |    NH
                                  MW 177.16    | O  |    |
                                               |    |    NH 
                                                \  / \  /
                                                      ||
                                                       O

                                           H2O2      ||
                                         K2Fe(CN)6   ||
                                                     ||
                                                     ||
        NH2                                          \/
        |
       / \ _COO-                Singlet            Triplet
      | O |_COO-   + hv <------ Excited   <-----   Excited  +   N2
       \ /                      State      slow    State
     Ground State


First heat a flask containing 15 ml of water on a steam bath.  Then
heat a mixture of 1 g 3-nitrophthalic acid and 2 ml of 8% aqueous
hydrazine* in a 20x150 mm test tube over a free flame until the solid
is dissolved.  Add 3 ml triethylene glycol and clamp tube in a
vertical position over a micro burner.  Boil vigorously to distil
excess water (110 - 130) Let temperature rise rapidly to 215 C (3-4
minutes) Collect light yellow granular nitro compound by filtration.
Transfer nitro compound back to test tube (it need not be cleaned) and
add 5 ml of 10% sodium hydroxide solution.  Some reduction product may
separate during this time.  Then add 2 ml acetic acid, cool under tap
and stir.

Dilute 25 ml of Solution A with 175 ml of water.  Pour this solution and
Solution B together simultaneously into a funnel resting in the neck of a
large Erlenmeyer flask.  Swirl flask.  To increase brilliance, gradually add
further small quantities of alkalai and ferricyanide crystals.

If the ferricyanide is omitted, the reaction can be catalyzed by adding blood
dropwise to the reaction mixture.

Handle with care.  Wear Gloves and carry this recipe out in a hood.
Do not attempt this recipe unless you are trained in organic synthesis
or Betty Crocker procedures.

Serve with ice as desired and garnish with beaker.

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