Types of Organic Reactions- Organic Synthesis With Familiar Materials

Organic Synthesis with Familiar Materials

Description: Aspirin is converted to wintergreen in a one-step process that may then be passed around to students to smell. Source: Journal of Chemical education Vol – 68 Year: 1991  Vol: 68  Page: 502 Keywords: Aspirin, Wintergreen, Synthesis, Sulfuric Acid, Esterification Rating: Hazard: High
  • Electric shock hazard
  • Skin corrosion hazard
  • Acute toxicity hazard – oral, inhalation, dermal
  • Flammability hazard
  • Burn/scald hazard
  • Corrosive to metals
  • Serious eye damage
  • Specific organ toxicity – single exposure – eyes
  • Reproductive toxicity
  • Short term aquatic toxicity
Effectiveness: Average
  • Results are observable only with guidance
  • Mild to no effects are seen by audience
  • Time to results is high
  • Good connection from demo to course material
  • Results are superficially engaging
Difficulty: Medium
  • Sequential addition of reagents
  • Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
  • Reactions at non-standard conditions
  • Demos in which samples are passed out to the audience
  • Manipulations involving high temperature or reactivity
Safety Precautions:
  • UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
  • Eye protection required
  • High temperature gloves recommended
  • Absorbent materials on hand
  • Sodium bicarbonate on hand for neutralization
  • ABC fire extinguisher on hand
  • Avoid contact with droplets. mists and vapors
  • Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Organic Chemistry, Synthesis Division: General, Organic Chemistry

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