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 Alcohol 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 Band from Latex
Reaction Intermediates in Organic Chemistry
Reducing Sugar 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
Superabsorbent Polyacrylate Gel
Description: The powder found in disposable diapers absorbs large amounts of water. Salt breaks the gel.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 368
Keywords: Polyacrylate, Gels, Water, Diapers
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Serious eye irritation
Effectiveness: Average
- Somewhat connected conceptually to course material
- Results are observable without guidance
- Moderate failure rate
- Time to results is very low
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Some sequential manipulations
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Prior practice or training recommended
- Simple procedures
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Absorbent materials on hand
- Avoid exposure to dusts
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
Class: Polymers
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
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