Is a licence required to make isopropyl alcohol?

Nutball

Is a licence required to make isopropyl alcohol? I know at times making alcohol can be illegal such as making it for drinking, but what about isopropyl?

chemisttree

I don't think it is. Since is isn't for consumption there isn't any reporting requirement for excise taxes. There may be state or local regulations regarding environmental release of ... anything. Of course, depending on the method of manufacture, you might run afoul of some regulations but just having 2-propanol isn't illegal AFAIK.

sodium.dioxid

NO, why would making anything be illegal? As long as you don't steal the supplies, I would have a hard time understanding why it would be illegal. That's like asking "is making an automobile illegal?". Life is too short, so have fun. Make what you wanna make.

Borek

What about methamphetamine? Or LSD?

Mike H

You may have local fire ordinances to consider, although I doubt hobbyists would have enough material for them to be of concern.

I would recommend being sure to store whatever (legal) chemicals you have in an appropriate environment and clearly labeled. I can't seem to find it at the moment, but there was this news item somewhat recently about a family needing to dispose of a deceased family member's home laboratory that was not in very good shape.

Nutball

I just wasn't sure because plenty of things are illegal to make like bombs and drugs, and who knows what else is illegal to make without a licence. It is a simple and safe process(if you know what you're doing) to make isopropyl alcohol. My intended use for it is as fuel.

sodium.dioxid

There are more rules and laws than any of us can count. If you make a mistake, just say "I didn't know". I don't know how people are expected to know the law when no classes are provided to the public. It's like we are supposed to know these things the moment we exit the womb.

Pengwuino

.... seriously?

Drakkith

Ignorance is not a valid defense. Laws are available publicly to everyone.

Nutball, I would think that there would be some kind of law for making isoprobyl alcohol, but you'd have to check around to be sure.

sodium.dioxid

Yes, seriously. Here's another one I bet you didn't know: you cannot park your vehicle within 5 inches of the parking lane, on either side. It is within total rights of a police officer to award you with a ticket (no, not a movie ticket), as stated in article 4 section 274 paragraph 3 line 17 in the book "How not be evil - citizens handbook to living life". It is called misconduct, lack of cooperation, and harassment. It depends on the mood of the police officer as to what combination of those three things he will charge you with (note that you can be charged for all three simultaneously). I was surprised just the way you are as you are reading this right now. I am so happy to learn this valuable lesson in life. I no longer have to worry about the fiery depths of you-know-where.

I know. That's why I told them I was handicapped. They let me off the hook this time.

Drakkith

That's atrocious.

DrDu

Isn't their synthesis legal in Poland?
Seriously, this whole discussion is quite pointless as long as it doesn't refer to the laws of a specified country.

Borek

Last time I checked it wasn't. Somehow I doubt anything changed since then