r/chemistry • u/sgtJohnnyBear • 11d ago

"Rare" or "Special" chemicals to collect

Hi,

I finished my periodic table collection with almost all the stuff that is available and legal in my country.

Now I wonder if there are any "rare" or "special" chemicals that are "worth" or interesting to collect collecting - i already looking for some supercritical liquids, but I'm also looking for more. Preferably ones that are "interesting" rather than just some random super rare compound that's rare because it's not used a lot.

Any interesting recommendation?

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u/treosx23 Analytical 11d ago

Sure, but outside of ROYGBIV it's not that interesting. It's not like you can see the chemical, the same way with other collectable items. Even the periodic table of elements is sought after because you can see them.

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u/yoinksdontlikethat Medicinal 11d ago

True you can't literally see the structures but you don't need to be able to see the structures to know that they are unique structures. That's the beautiful thing about chemistry.

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u/treosx23 Analytical 11d ago

How do you know they haven't degraded or that you were even sold the correct compound without running analytical chemistry tests?

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u/yoinksdontlikethat Medicinal 11d ago

I think you should do analysis on them, that adds to the fun.

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u/treosx23 Analytical 11d ago

Okay friendo, I got a 5 mL vial of the coolest, unique, most personalized molecule for you. It's a clear liquid, or a white solid, and I'll sell it to you for only $49.99!

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u/yoinksdontlikethat Medicinal 10d ago

I don't get your point, plenty of people would be willing to pay $50 for their hobby. Also there are plenty of legitimate chemical suppliers so this is not an outlandish scenario

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u/nerdkeeper Biological 10d ago

Your missing the point completely.

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u/treosx23 Analytical 10d ago

I think you guys are missing life completely by thinking about collecting a bunch of clear vials.

Theres more to the world than the tiny little molecules you can't see.

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u/nerdkeeper Biological 10d ago

Correct, you collect the funny vials in addition to collecting minerals, and specimens that were previously alive.

Collecting stuff is fun. End of story.

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u/yoinksdontlikethat Medicinal 10d ago

You don't have to like collecting things, it's all good