Bromination of Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid
Organic Synthesis With Familiar Materials
Oxidation of Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Alcohols
Underwater Fireworks: Chlorination of Acetylene
Differences of Miscibility of Organic Alcohols with Increasing Chain Length
Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton)
Different Smells of Carvone Isomers
Distinguishing Between HD and LD Polyethylene
Enviro-bond: Cleaning Oil Spills
Esterification Using a Dean-Stark Trap
IR Demonstration I – Atomic Coupling
IR Demonstration II – Molecular Vibrations
IR Demonstration III – Molecular Vibrations
Making a Rubber Ball from Latex
Reaction Intermediates in Organic Chemistry
Reducing Sugars and Fehling’s Solution
Rod Climbing by a Polymer Solution
Superabsorbent Polyacrylate Gel
Aniline Hydrochloride-Formaldehyde Polymer
Relative Reactivity of Reducing Agents
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction/EAS Reaction
Reactivity of Alkanes vs Aromatic Compounds
Optical Activity of Racemic Mixtures With Limonene
Relationship of Absorbed Light to Observed Color
Density and Miscibility of Liquids
Extraction of Copper Ions from Solution with Orform®
Gel Formation with Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride
Hydrolysis of T-Butyl Chloride: A Lecture and Lab Experiment
Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton)
Description: Previously prepared guncotton is ignited with a flame. The reaction is contrasted with regular cotton.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstration: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 43
Keywords: Combustion, Exothermic, Guncotton, Cellulose nitrate
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Fire hazard
- Explosion hazard
- Mild toxicity hazard
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Results are deeply engaging to audience
- Experiment challenges preconceived concepts
- Superior reliability
- Time to results is very low
- Strong effects are seen by audience
- Good connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Medium
- Use of reactive or flammable substances
- Reaction at non-standard conditions
- Simple procedures
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Lab coat recommended
- Fire resistant surface
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- No flammable materials near demo
- Tongs required
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
Class: Organic Chemistry, Thermochemistry, Combustion Reactions
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
The demonstration Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton) may be found under Thermochemistry- Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton).
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