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 Demonstrations 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
Nylon 6 – 10
Description: Nylon thread is made from the polymerization of an amine and an acid chloride. The thread is lifted from the interface of two immiscible liquids and wound on a windlass pulling the polymer out of the container. This reaction will continue for as long as both reactants present.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 213
Keywords: Polymers, Hexamethylenediamine, Sebacoyl Chloride, Interfacial polycondensation, Immiscible
Rating: 
Hazard: High
- Acute toxicity – oral, dermal
- Corrosive to metals
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Reproductive toxicity
- Serious eye damage
- Respiratory toxicity
- Flammable liquids
- Central nervous system toxicity
- Aspiration hazard
- Aquatic toxicity
- Flammability hazard
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Results are deeply engaging to audience
- Profound connection to course material
- Spectacular or counter-intuitive effects are seen
- Contrast of behavior of systems is obvious
- Time to results is low
- High reliability
Difficulty: High
- Use of highly toxic reagents
- Use of flammable reagents
- Complex manipulations
- Requires prior practice or training
- Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Lab coat or equivalent required
- Perform in well-ventilated area
- Downdraft hood recommended
- Spill kit on hand
- Absorbent material on hand
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Organic Chemistry, Macromolecules and Solid State
Division: General, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Return to General Chemistry Demonstrations