Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Organic Chem Lab Crystals II
Part 1: Synthesis of Grinard Reagent p-Tolyl Magnesium Bromide.
Part 2: Grignard Synthesis of p-Toluic acid
I would say that this is quite an interesting experiment. As its my second "crystal growing lab session", it is kind of easier as i already know wad to expect and when to use which apparatus. For this experiment the confusing part is that as there are many steps involved and some of them are very confusing if background knowledge of the compound is not understood prior to the lab session. Especially the location of the product, whether it is in the organic (ether) layer or the aqueous layer during extraction. If the wrong layer is discarded, there goes the compound. Don't be fooled by the colour of the layer. Haha.
Background information:
compound: p-Toluic acid (4-methylbenzoic acid)
appearance: white crystalline solid
Solubility in water: No (very little)
Solubility in acetone: Yes
Solubility in ether: Yes
Solubility in ethanol: Sparingly when cold, Yes when hot
Melting point: 177 - 180 degree celsius
Okay. Pictures up next. Talking so much does not help. Haha.
Heating off the excess solvent
Preparing the saturated solution for crystallization
Lab partner at work
(me slack)
Saturated solution
Crystallization in progress
Do Not Disturb
Vacuum filtration of crystals
Drying of crystals under infra-red lamp
Dried crystals
p-toluic acid
Quite a large yield =)
Packaged crystals
I think the crystals absolutely rocks. Even the TA say the crystals very nice. I think so too. Yay!
Time to started on the lab report soon. Blah.
Byes~
Cal
found sought peace at 23:37.
Heating off the excess solvent
Preparing the saturated solution for crystallization
Lab partner at work
Saturated solution
Vacuum filtration of crystals
Drying of crystals under infra-red lamp
Dried crystals
Quite a large yield =)
Packaged crystals