DCHAS-L Archives ยท Post dated September 9, 2013
From: Ernie Lippert <ernielippert**At_Symbol_Here**TOAST.NET>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Piranha #3
Date: Sep 9, 2013 21:55 UTC
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
In-Reply-To:
I suppose this is a #3 Piranha preparation. A drop of it on the end of a glass rod will ignite paper. Many years ago I prepared it by placing 2 or 3 crystals of potassium permanganate in the bottom of a test tube (probably 1cm x 10cm) and adding a single drop of concentrated sulfuric acid. After the initial explosive puff of manganese dioxide, the resulting liquid was a pretty strong oxidizer. I never made more than a drop of it.
Regards,
Ernest Lippert