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 in 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
Disappearing Coffee Cup
Description: Styrofoam quickly breaks down and “disappears” when placed in acetone. The material does not dissolve; it merely changes form.
Source: Summerlin, L.R. and Ealy, J.L. Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers; 2nd Edition
Year: 1988 Vol: 2 Page: 96
Keywords: Styrofoam, Acetone, Air, Structural collapse, Polystyrene
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Flammability hazard
- Toxicity hazard – central nervous system – single exposure
- Eye irritation hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Clear contrast between behavior of systems
- Time to results is low
- Some connection from demo to course material
- Strong effects are seen by audience
- High reliability
Difficulty: Medium
- Use of toxic reagents
- Handling of organic chemicals
- Simple procedures
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Lab coat recommended
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Avoid contact with vapors or droplets
- Avoid open flames
Class: Organic Chemistry, Intermolecular Forces, Emulsions
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
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