Whats wrong with my Stannous?

[gotgoldfever]

I used 35% HCL and 1/16 oz. tin sinkers. I added sinkers until they stopped dissolving completely (some tin in the bottom as suggested). I have used this on several different solutions and didn't get any result so I made a solution of AC that I know has gold in it, still no reaction. What am I doing wrong?

 

[lazersteve]

Did you heat the mixture as the tin dissolved?

Are the sinkers definitely tin?

Are you sure you dissolved gold?

It's very easy to make a positive gold test solution by taking one or two foils stripped with AP from a finger and dissolve them in a test tube with 3 drops of HCl and 1 or two drops of clorox and a touch of heat. The solution should be bright golden yellow to a deep orange color.

Steve

 

[gotgoldfever]

I didn't heat the solution as the tin dissolved, is that a definite requirement? The gold solution I made is exactly as you described couple of foils in HCL chlorox - nice yellow color.

 

[lazersteve]

I always heat mine.

I've never tried it without heat.

I've never had a dud batch of stannous chloride.

I always use -200 mesh pure tin powder and HCl only.

Steve

 

[Scott2357]

When I used plumber's solder (95/5 tin/antimony) heat was not needed. Took about 3-4 mins. since it wasn't powder form.