EMSL Analytical Conclusions:

The material in the sample was identified as sodium chloroacetate-based. However, the material in the sample has a different crystalline structure and also a modified molecular structure than the reference used for comparison.

Methods & Equipment:

Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
epi-Reflected Light Microscopy (RLM)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Energy-dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDX)
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (ATR-FTIR)
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

Results and Discussion:

The reference sample used for comparison is sodium dichloroacetate (Cl2CHCO2Na) purchased from Aldrich (98%, = 2% ethyl alcohol).

The sample was found to contain 418 ppm (0.0418 wt%) bromide (Br). No bromide or any other foreign elements were detected in the reference sample.

The EDX analysis of the material in the sample identified sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), carbon (C ) and oxygen (O) as the elemental components. The material in the sample is sodium chloroacetate-based. However, the material in the sample has a different crystalline structure (see Figure 1) and also a modified molecular structure (see Figure 2) than the reference sample.

The FTIR spectrum (Figure 2) suggests that the material in the sample has crystallization water in the molecule.

buydca.com Response to these Results:

'..We do not use an ethanol recrystallization process to make the sodium dichloroacetate. Our process uses USP grade sodium bicarbonate and is done without adding any organic solvents. Regardless of crystal structure, when dissolved in water, you get a sodium dichloroacetate solution..' - Joseph M. Ryan & Jim Tassano.