Organic Chemistry- Terephthalate Monomerization

Bromination of Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Blue Bottle

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Disappearing Coffee Cup

Formation of a Silver Mirror

Models 360

Nylon 6 – 10

Organic Synthesis With Familiar Materials

Oxidation of Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Alcohols

Oxidation of Luminol

Polyurethane Foam

Slime

Underwater Fireworks: Chlorination of Acetylene

Carbide Lamp

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

Ethanol Cannon

Happy/Sad Balls

IR Demonstration I- Atomic Coupling

IR Demonstration II – Molecular Vibrations

IR Demonstrations III – Molecular Vibrations

Making a Rubber Ball from Latex

Plastic Samples

Reaction Intermediates in Organic Chemistry 

Reducing Sugars and Fehling’s Solution

Rod Climbing by a Polymer Solution

Rotating Rainbows

Silly Putty

Soap Emulsifies Hydrocarbons

Superabsorbent Polyacrylate Gel

Tubeless Siphon

Alkimers

Aniline Hydrochloride-Formaldehyde Polymer

Phenol-Formaldehyde Polymer

Saponification

Relative Reactivity of Reducing Agents

Inductive Effect

Optical Activity of Racemic Mixture With Limonene

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction/ EAS Reaction

Reactivity of Alkanes vs Aromatic Compounds

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

Ozonolysis

Hydrolysis of T-Butyl Chloride: A Lecture and Lab Experiment

Terephthalate Monomerization

Terephthalate Monomerization

Description:  A PETE soda bottle is placed in a sodium hydroxide bath. Some hydroxide is also placed in the bottle along with a stir bar. The liquid is heated and after 25 minutes, the phthalate will dissolve. 

Sources: Maynard, J.H., Schreiner, R.S., 2009 

Year: 2009   Vol: N/A   Page: N/A

Keywords: Terephthalate, Monomer, Polymer, Base, Solubility 

Rating:

Hazard: Some

  • Corrosive to metals
  • Skin corrosion hazard
  • Serious eye damage
  • Acute aquatic toxicity hazard
  • Electric shock hazard
  • Burn hazard

Effectiveness: Average

  • Time to results is medium
  • Some connection from demo to course material
  • Results are observable without guidance
  • Good reliability
  • Mild effects are observed by audience
  • Contrast between system behavior is noticeable

Difficulty: Medium

  • Use of toxic or corrosive reagents
  • Demos at non-standard conditions
  • Simple manipulations for most to perform
  • Some intermediate steps to results

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Gloves required
  • Thermal gloves recommended
  • Avoid exposure to droplets, mists, or vapors
  • Perform in a well-ventilated area
  • Absorbent material on hand
  • Sodium bicarbonate on hand

Class: Polymers, Organic Chemistry

Division: General, Organic Chemistry