Talk:Crack cocaine synthesis: Difference between revisions

Crack cocaine is frequently purchased already in rock form,<ref name=AMCcrac/> although it is not uncommon for some users to "wash up" or "cook" powder cocaine into crack themselves. This process is frequently done with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), water, and a spoon. Once mixed and heated, the bicarbonate reacts with the hydrochloride of the powder cocaine, forming free base cocaine and carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) in a reversible acid-base reaction. The heating accelerates the degradation of carbonic acid into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water. Loss of CO₂ prevents the reaction from reversing back to cocaine hydrochloride. Free base cocaine separates as an oily layer, floating on the top of the now leftover aqueous phase. It is at this point that the oil is picked up rapidly, usually with a pin or long thin object. This pulls the oil up and spins it, allowing air to set and dry the oil, and allows the maker to roll the oil into the rock-like shape.