LEGAL NEW SOLID REAGENTS

Due to an increase in use of illegal explosives European Union has passed the regulation nr 2019/1148 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, making it illegal for members of the general public to purchase or own most products containing more than 15% of sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is the main ingredient of most common reagent tests: Marquis, Mecke, Mandelin, Liebermann, Froehde and Hofmann, therefore it is now a criminal offence in the EU to buy and use without a license these reagents in their standard liquid formula.

Luckily there is a solution – new solid (crystal) reagents licensed from reagent-tests.uk. Solid reagents use the same chemistry as liquids, react with the same colors, but are bound to an inert crystaline substance. Crystal reagents have multiple advantages over liquids:

  • Shelf life extended beyond 2 years
  • Easier to apply the desired amount
  • No spill risk, greatly increased safety
  • No need to patiently wait for each drop from a bottle
  • Compliant with European and British regulations on corrosive chemicals

How to test using crystal reagents:

  1. Aside from applying the crystals, all classic reagent testing instructions remain unchanged (see booklet)
  2. Shake a bottle hard before use, then tap it firmly against a soft flat surface to ensure no crystals are stuck in the lid. After you open a bottle, do the same with the cap to get rid of any crystals stuck in the lid. Beware of “crunchy lid syndrome” to ensure bottle cap seal remains intact.
  3. Pour out or scoop out a small pile of crystals onto small sample, just enough to cover your sample.
  4. You can mix or flatten the crystals with sample to ensure faster reaction, but that’s not required.
  5. If you use the included spatula or toothpicks as a scoop or to mix crystals, make sure to avoid contamination. Between changing reagents wipe your tool with a paper tissue if using to mix crystals with sample, or wash it with soap and water and dry well if using to scoop out crystals out of a bottle.
 

How-to videos are available on our YouTube channel.

Meanwhile in case of any questions or concerns please contact us at testing@protestkit.eu.

 

We have upgraded Ehrlich, Hofmann, Froehde, Marquis, Mecke and Liebermann formulas and replaced the now illegal liquid reagents with fully legal solids. SDS safety sheets available at request.

 
Liquid Hofmann reagent with LSD (12 hours)
Liquid Hofmann reagent with LSD (12 hours)
Solid Hofmann reagent with LSD (1 hour)
Solid Hofmann reagent with LSD (1 hour)
Crystalline Marquis and Ehrlich reagent tests with aspirin, codeine and 5-htp at 1 minute and 5 minutes. Used reagents were kept outside of fridge for several months and continue to work perfectly. Old liquid versions would show degradation.
Crystalline Marquis and Ehrlich reagent tests with aspirin, codeine and 5-htp at 1 minute and 5 minutes. Used reagents were kept outside of fridge for several months and continue to work perfectly. Old liquid versions would show degradation.