In my mind I don't feel the supply of refining chemicals can stopped if you properly choose your reaction components and produce the required ingredients you need. Long before the government and big corporations supplied mineral acids and bases, they were being produce by chemists all over the world for centuries. This is why research and historical literature are a cornerstone of my endeavours. I always research the source, production, handling, and disposal of all chemicals I need in a desired reaction. If possible I select ingredients that are readily manufactured and safe.
A second important factor in the supply chain is recycling. If we recycle our ingredients we can close the supply chain loop and side step these government imposed sanctions. I'm putting together a simple method of recycling spent nitric acid from the gold refining by products. I'm also designing small to medium scale apparatuses that allow for continuous cycle dissolving of base metals while recovering the base metals for resale to subsidize processing costs.
Ultimately if you design your process properly you will either recycle or sell all of your by products. The small portion of the process that does not lend itself to recycling or resale will of course require proper disposal.
The powers that be can control your ability to buy, but they can't control your ability to think! :wink:
Steve