Experiments

Objective To learn how to set up Soxhlet extraction to obtain oil from sunflower seeds. Background Vegetable oils are mainly triglycerides from seeds or fruits. They are a key component of the human diet and are also used for other purposes, including the production of biofuels (biodiesel), lubricants, and cosmetics such as soaps and creams. … Read more

Objective To form the C−C bond via condensation reaction of benzaldehyde catalyzed by cyanide ion or thiamine, and to perform the stereoselective reduction of benzoin. Background One of the most important processes in Organic Synthesis is the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. Usually, this reaction requires the formation of a carbanion (carbon nucleophile) and its reaction … Read more

Objective To perform a two-step synthesis for the preparation of a derivative of barbituric acid. In the first step, the diethyl n-butylmalonate is prepared, which is subsequently reacted with urea in the presence of a strong base, such as NaOEt, to yield the desired compound. Background Barbiturates are drugs that are prescribed to treat severe … Read more

Objective To perform a reductive amination of a carbonyl compound, emulating the biosynthesis of an amino acid but without using enzyme catalysis. Background When reagents, products, and non-chiral catalysts are used in a chemical reaction, the overall result is an optically inactive mixture. However, if a center or chiral carbon has been generated, the product … Read more

Objective To provide an example of multi-step synthesis (using protecting groups) by preparing an organic compound, benzocaine, that is present in many consumer products. Background Benzocaine (ethyl 4-aminobenzoate) is an anesthetic that is also used to relieve the pain of injuries and burns. Benzocaine is the derivative of p-aminobenzoic acid and can be synthesized via … Read more

Objective To produce n-butyl bromide from n-butyl alcohol, and to demonstrate the ability to carry out a substitution reaction in organic chemistry, specifically the conversion of an alcohol to an alkyl halide. Background Reacting a primary alcohol with a hydrogen halide produces a primary alkyl halide. The reaction follows an SN2 mechanism, as the dehydration step … Read more

Objective To learn steam-distillation and vacuum-distillation techniques to produce an essential oil from a plant raw material (orange peel). Background Limonene, a compound of the terpene family, is present in the essential oil of citrus peel. The limonene structure has a chiral center, and thus it is found in nature as two enantiomers the (R)- … Read more

Objective To synthesize a heterocyclic compound (triphenylpyridine) by a sequence of reactions involving an aldolic condensation, a Michael addition, and a final condensation reaction to yield a pyridine ring. Background The aldol condensation reaction produces β-hydroxyaldehyde (aldol) or β-hydroxyketones from two carbonylic compounds with at least a hydrogen atom at the α-position with respect to … Read more

Objective To produce a derivative of uridine and use chromatographic techniques for their identification and isolation. Background Recent advances in the pharmaceutical industry have increased interest in the chemistry of nucleic acids for example, the synthesis of AZT (3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine) used in treating AIDS. Furthermore, the multistep synthesis of these products requires the application of various … Read more

Objective To extract essential oils from cinnamon and/or cloves by hot extraction using an organic solvent under reflux and then removing the solvent under reduced pressure (rotary evaporator). Background Many plants are commonly used for their pleasant fragrances or flavors caused by the presence of certain molecules that provide them with their organoleptic properties. The … Read more