I have seen this idea tossed around a bit but do not know if it produces pure IPA from an IPA/water mix, or if it even works at all. Has anyone tried it?

Does anyone know if magnesium sulfate is soluble in IPA?

All I know is that jorkest seemed to be able to dry an ethanol/water mix with magnesium sulfate.

It works perfectly. Magnesium sulfate is not soluble in IPA. And theoretically you can get totally anhydrous IPA if one goes the magnesium sulfate route.


Just note that anhydrous magnesium sulfate absorbs roughly its own weight in water. So if you have 1 litre of, sat 90% IPA then it is going to contain roughly 100ml/g of water therefore 100g of magnesium sulfate will do the trick!

69ron also mentioned one can dry IPA with sodium carbonate (which is much cheaper than magnesium sulfate here at least)..... sodium carbonate is not soluble in IPA but it is in water, so if one mixes sodium carbonate with iso, a bottom layer of sodium carbonate water will form, so decant the top iso layer.. repeat this until carbonate stays 'dry' in the bottom without forming any layer or looking wet