I was trying to isolate elemental bismuth from pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) using the process seen here but after I added the HCl, instead of getting a pink foamy substance I got a white liquid with some white foam. The only reason I can think of, for why this would happen is that the pepto bismol was expired by a month. After I realized the reaction didn't work, I added a homemade universal indicator (red cabbage -Phenolphthalein- preserved with a little isopropyl alcohol) and started adding sodium hydroxide to neutralise any remaining acid. When I started adding the sodium hydroxide the solution started heating up and then changed color fairly rapidly from pink to a dull grey green which didn't change when I tried adding more acid. Shorty after the color change something started to precipitate out. I filtered off the precipitate and got a clear orange liquid. I then added a little HCl to the orange liquid and something immediately started precipitating out. The remaining liquid then turned clear and smells slightly like mint.

My only guess for what I have made is bismuth hydroxide (the first precipitate) but I have no idea what the second precipitate is. Here are pictures of the final precipitates.

I was trying to isolate elemental bismuth from pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) using the process seen here but after I added hydrochloric acid, instead of getting a pink foamy substance, I got a white liquid with some white foam. The only reason I can think of, for why this would happen, is that the pepto bismol was expired by a month. 

After I realized the reaction didn't work, I added a homemade universal indicator (red cabbage - phenolphthalein - preserved with a little isopropyl alcohol) and started adding sodium hydroxide to neutralise any remaining acid. When I started adding the sodium hydroxide, the solution started heating up and then changed color fairly rapidly from pink to a dull grey green which didn't change when I tried adding more acid.

Shortly after the color change, something started to precipitate out. I filtered off the precipitate and got a clear orange liquid. I then added a little hydrochloric acid to the orange liquid and something immediately started precipitating out. The remaining liquid then turned clear and smells slightly like mint.

My only guess for what I have made is bismuth hydroxide (the first precipitate) but I have no idea what the second precipitate is. Here are pictures of the final precipitates.

I was trying to isolate elemental bismuth from pepto bismal (bismuth subsalicylate) using the process seen here but after I added the HCl, instead of getting a pink foamy substance I got a white liquid with some white foam. The only reason I can think of, for why this would happen is that the pepto bismal was expired by a month. After I realized the reaction didn't work, I added a homemade universal indicator (red cabbage -Phenolphthalein- preserved with a little isopropyl alcohol) and started adding sodium hydroxide to neutralise any remaining acid. When I started adding the sodium hydroxide the solution started heating up and then changed color fairly rapidly from pink to a dull grey green which didn't change when I tried adding more acid. Shorty after the color change something started to precipitate out. I filtered off the precipitate and got a clear orange liquid. I then added a little HCl to the orange liquid and something immediately started precipitating out. The remaining liquid then turned clear and smells slightly like mint.

my only guess for what I have made is bismuth hydroxide (the first precipitate) but I have no idea what the second precipitate is. Here are pictures of the final precipitates.

I was trying to isolate elemental bismuth from pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) using the process seen here but after I added the HCl, instead of getting a pink foamy substance I got a white liquid with some white foam. The only reason I can think of, for why this would happen is that the pepto bismol was expired by a month. After I realized the reaction didn't work, I added a homemade universal indicator (red cabbage -Phenolphthalein- preserved with a little isopropyl alcohol) and started adding sodium hydroxide to neutralise any remaining acid. When I started adding the sodium hydroxide the solution started heating up and then changed color fairly rapidly from pink to a dull grey green which didn't change when I tried adding more acid. Shorty after the color change something started to precipitate out. I filtered off the precipitate and got a clear orange liquid. I then added a little HCl to the orange liquid and something immediately started precipitating out. The remaining liquid then turned clear and smells slightly like mint.

My only guess for what I have made is bismuth hydroxide (the first precipitate) but I have no idea what the second precipitate is. Here are pictures of the final precipitates.