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
Phenol-Formaldehyde Polymer
Description: A mixture of formaldehyde, phenol, and acetic acid is strongly acidified. In moments, the mixture turns pink and solidifies. This demonstration is usually performed in a hood.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 219
Keywords: Polymers, Phenol, Formaldehyde, Plastics, Bakelite
Rating: 
Hazard: High
- Flammable liquids
- Acute toxicity – oral, respiratory, dermal
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Serious eye damage
- Skin sensitization
- Mutagenicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Short term aquatic hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Specific organ toxicity – nervous system, kidney, skin
- Aquatic toxicity – short and long term
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Strong effects are seen by audience
- Time to results is low
- Good reliability
Difficulty: High
- Use of flammable and toxic reagents
- Sequential manipulations required
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Demos that require training or practice to perform correctly
- Timed or situational manipulations
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Face shield recommended
- Protective clothing recommended
- Downdraft hood required for indoor performance
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Absorbent materials on hand
- Avoid inhalation or contact with reagents
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Organic Chemistry
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
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