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Step 1
Ensure the formula for rubbing alcohol meets federal regulations. The manufacture and sale of ethanol are heavily regulated in the United States, and any type of rubbing alcohol must meet the requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the US Treasury Department.
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Step 2
Examine the basic requirements for rubbing alcohol. Formula 23-H specifies a formula of 100 parts ethanol, 8 parts acetone and 1.5 parts methyl isobutyl ketone. These additives make it very difficult to extract the pure ethanol in a commercially feasible manner.
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Step 3
Add additional ingredients to make the alcohol undrinkable. A minimum of 355 milligrams (mg)sucrose octaacetate and 1.40 mg denatonium benzoate must also be added to each milliliters (mL) of rubbing alcohol to give it an extremely bitter taste. Color additives and stabilizers may also be added.
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Step 4
Make rubbing alcohol from isopropyl alcohol (C3H7OH). This type of alcohol is commonly sold in a minimum concentration of 70% is frequently referred to as "rubbing alcohol" by the general public. This solution can be prepared by diluting seven parts pure isopropyl alcohol with three parts pure water.
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Step 5
Make rubbing alcohol, also known as surgical spirit in the United Kingdom. This formula is a mixture of ethanol and methanol with methyl salicylate as an additive to give a strong wintergreen smell. You can prepare a typical formulation of surgical spirit by mixing 180 parts ethanol, ten parts methanol, five parts castor oil, four parts diethyl phthalate and one part methyl salicylate.
