Experiments

Objective To learn how different organic compounds can be isolated according to their acid-base properties, which change their solubility in organic and aqueous solvents, using the liquid-liquid extraction technique.     3D structure 3D structure 3D structure 3D structure Background Liquid-liquid extraction is one of the most common basic operations in the organic chemistry laboratory, … Read more

Objective The objective of this experiment is the realization of a condensation between an acid anhydride (acetic anhydride) and an aromatic aldehyde (benzaldehyde) (Perkin reaction or Perkin condensation) in order to synthesize cinnamic acid. Background Cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde are natural constituents of cinnamon oil. In this practical, we will proceed to the synthesis of … Read more

Objective To familiarize the student with the preparation of Grignard reagents and their reaction with carbonyl compounds to form alcohols, in particular the synthesis of triphenylmethanol (an alcohol) from bromobenzene. 3D Structure Background One of the most popular methods for forming C-C bonds in organic synthesis is by using Grignard reagents (Nobel Prize in Chemistry … Read more

Objective The purpose of this experiment is to learn a series of basic techniques in an organic chemistry laboratory, such as: The use of reflux as a general technique to perform a hot reaction at the boiling temperature of a given solvent. Simple distillation as a procedure for the purification of liquid substances. The use … Read more

Objective Synthesize a fluorescent compound 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin (7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one) in a reaction carried out without solvent. Background Coumarins are natural products found in a wide variety of plants, including those used as traditional herbal medicines dating back to 1000 BC. Coumarins have been used for many practical applications, such as cosmetics, sunscreens, flavorings, laser dyes, pharmaceuticals and … Read more

Objective Study of recrystallization as a technique for purification and isolation of organic compounds in water and organic solvents, in this case we will use acetanilide and benzoic acid and as solvents water and hexane. Background To dissolve a solute in a solvent, the attractive solute-solvent interactions must be stronger than the intermolecular solute-solute and … Read more

What is the Fehling’s test? Hermann Von Fehling discovered in 1849 in a solution (also called reagent Fehling or Fehling’s solution) that could be used for the determination of reducing sugars. Being able to identify the presence of glucose or its derivatives (sucrose, fructose, etc.). It is called Fehling’s test or Fehling’s reaction. The chemical … Read more

Objective The purpose of this experiment is to obtain an organic polymer (polystyrene), and for the student to become familiar with the reactions of polymerization initiated by radicals (organic peroxides). Background Polystyrene is a polymer that can be prepared by a monomer addition process. The addition reaction is catalyzed by radicals, anions or cations, although … Read more

Objetives This experiment illustrates how to perform chemoselective reductions of 4-nitroacetophenone, a compound with two reducible groups (nitro and carbonyl), which depending on the reducing agents used can reduce one of them without having to protect the other. Background Chemoselectivity is the selective reactivity of a functional group in the presence of others. In the absence … Read more

Objective To learn how to prepare a liquid synthetic detergent, through the sulfonation of an aromatic ring. Background Detergents are surfactants (consisting of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic fragments), i.e. they greatly reduce the surface tension of water when used at very low concentrations. Detergents have a hydrophilic polar head, such as salts of carboxylic or sulfonic … Read more