As soon as I saw the question about ascorbic acid and formaldehyde I knew I was way over my head. My oldest son has a degree in chemistry obtained just a few short years ago so I asked him and got the response below.
I come from a family filled with chemists..... my brother has a Phd in it, his wife has a masters. My uncle and aunt both had PhD's as well in that subject. Even my dad was a chemical engineer. Now for me.... I know how to spell chemistry, and that is pretty much my total competency. I imagine my brother could have given a much more expansive explanation, but I was pretty sure that my son would respond in terms that even I could understand. Steve Grover --- On Mon, 12/7/09, Gargamel DeLorean <[email protected]> wrote: From: Gargamel DeLorean <[email protected]> Subject: Re: A chemistry question To: "Steve" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, December 7, 2009, 8:52 PM here is the answer: whomsoever told Amadeus that vitamin C reacts with salt to become formaldehyde is full of poop. There will be no reaction between sodium chloride and ascorbic acid. The sodium ion is inert, and reacts with almost nothing. It is also highly soluble, so there will be no precipitation reactions. Finally, sodium chloride is the salt of a strong acid, so it is neutral, and cannot react with ascorbic acid. HOWEVER...Ascorbic acid will react readily with formaldehyde, since Ascorbic acid has a pH of about 4.5 in water and formaldehyde has a pH of 7(same as water) to create an acidic solution by deprotonating the ascorbic acid to create an ascorbate. If you mixed Ascorbic Acid with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide(strong bases) you would again deprotonate the ascorbic acid, but again would not create formaldehyde. There is a very, very small chance to create formaldehyde by heating the ascorbic acid above 190 Celsius, as that is the temperature at which it loses its structure - but that isn't likely to happen in the human body. Unfortunately, this doesn't answer Amadeus' underlying question of why he has experienced kidney failure. Further information about his dietary habits and liquid consumption would definitely be required in order to come up with a few better-informed hypotheses. A question for Amadeus: has he chronically used any OTC painkiller/anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen? Not to inquire too deeply, but kidney failure can also stem from habitual use of cocaine. Blood thinning agents like the previously mentioned painkillers are likely causes for renal failure as well as dehydration. Both of these prevent the appropriate amount of blood flow to the kidneys, which impairs their ability to function properly. From: Steve <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, December 7, 2009 12:49:34 PM Subject: A chemistry question Tim, Member Amadeus has asked a question involving chemistry. Do you know the answer? Dad --- On Mon, 12/7/09, Peter R <[email protected]> wrote: From: Peter R <[email protected]> Subject: CS>Brooks , Marshall,learned Members. To: [email protected] Date: Monday, December 7, 2009, 2:58 AM Dear Members. I have received a piece of information that I am not able to qualify. I would appreciate any comment on this subject. I do not have not the slightest idea, if this information is correct or not. Now having completed my warning, the following. L-Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) + Salt (Sodium Chloride) - When mixed produce Formaldehyde. C6H8C6 + NaCl (or KCl) =HCHO If there is a true to the above, It would explain my Kidney Failure, in spite that are very careful in what I eat, and purchase and cook my own food. I was not on any drug and was healthy otherwise. However I used L-ascorbic acid as a condiment on about any food. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Amadeus (This is my real first name) -- The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. Instructions for unsubscribing are posted at: http://silverlist.org To post, address your message to: [email protected] Address Off-Topic messages to: [email protected] The Silver List and Off Topic List archives are currently down... List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
