/pol/ - International /Pol/itics & /Bant/er

1. Crush the tablets into a fine powder to increase surface area.
2. Dissolve in warm water - Codeine and caffeine are soluble in water, while paracetamol has very low solubility in cold water.
3. Cool the solution - As the water cools, paracetamol precipitates out as it's not soluble in cold water.
4. Filter the mixture - The liquid contains the dissolved codeine and caffeine, while the solid residue contains mostly paracetamol.
5. Optional further purification - Some methods involve adjusting pH or using other solvents to further isolate the codeine.
Cold Water Extraction (CWE):
1. Crush the tablets into a fine powder to increase surface area.
2. Weigh the powder - Record the mass for later calculations.
3. Dissolve in warm water - Add the powder to warm (60-70degC) distilled water, stirring until fully dissolved. Codeine and caffeine are soluble, while paracetamol has low solubility in hot water.
4. Cool the solution - Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours. As the water cools, paracetamol precipitates out.
5. Filter the mixture - Use a coffee filter or fine mesh to separate the liquid from the solid paracetamol residue.