Samuel Gebray
Unit 14: Applications of Organic Chemistry 14D: Investigate organic chemistry reactions in order to
gain skills in preparative organic chemistry. Making designer chemicals
Practical: to investigate chlorination of 2-methylpropan-2-ol
Experiment 1
Aim: To produce and purify a sample of 2-chloro-2-methyl propane
Health and safety
- The hydrochloric acid is corrosive and could produce hydrogen chloride fumes that is both
toxic and corrosive.
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate and calcium chloride are irritants and can cause a severe
reaction on the skin
- 2-methylpropan-2-ol is a flammable and harmful substance, so keep it away from any flames
and keep it out of contact with the skin and clothes
- 2-chloro-2-methylpropane is also flammable
- Lab coat must be worn at all times to protect from any acid/solution spillages
- Googles should always be worn to protect the eyes from coming in contact with any
airborne acids or solutions.
- Gloves must be worn at all times when handling the solutions to protect the skin on the
hand surface from coming in contact with the acids.
Equipment
✓ Large 250cm3 conical flask with bung
✓ 100cm3 separating funnel with bung
✓ 250cm3 beaker for liquid run out of separating funnel
✓ Filter funnel to fit separating funnel
✓ Apparatus for distillation with 50cm3 pear-shaped (or round-bottomed) flask and
thermometer able to read up to 100 C
✓ 25cm3 and 100cm3 measuring cylinders
✓ 2-methylpropan-2-ol
✓ Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution
✓ 6g powdered anhydrous calcium chloride
✓ Anhydrous sodium sulfate
✓ Small conical flasks with bungs
✓ Sample tube
✓ Silver nitrate solution
✓ Dilute sodium hydroxide solution
✓ Dilute nitric acid
✓ 70 cm3 concentrated hydrochloric acid
✓ Test tubes
✓ Spatulas
✓ 5cm3 ethanol
✓ Bunsen burner
Method
, 1. Pour 10 cm3 of 2-methylpropan-2-ol and 35 cm3 of concentrated hydrochloric acid into a
large conical flask, then gently swirl the contents in the flask
2. Place the bung in the flask's mouth. Remove the bung and gently spin once more and
remove the bung to release the pressure.
3. Before releasing the pressure, spin the liquid with the bung in place for about 20 minutes.
There should be two layers in the flask. The upper layer contains the crude product
4. 6 grammes of powdered anhydrous calcium chloride should be swirled about in the flask
until it dissolves. This maintains any alcohol that hasn't yet reacted in the watery layer
below.
5. The reaction mixture should be placed partly into a separating funnel. Leave the mixture to
divide into two layers. Take off the bottom layer and throw it away. In the separating funnel,
keep the organic layer on top.
6. 20 cm3 of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution should be added to the separating funnel. To
release the pressure brought on by the carbon dioxide generation, periodically swirl the
funnel and remove the bung. It is best to run off and remove the bottom watery layer.
7. Repeat the washing with sodium hydrogen carbonate at regular intervals, shake the
separating funnel, and expel the carbon dioxide gas produced.
8. Take off the bottom layer and throw it away. Ensure that the aqueous layer is removed from
the tap.
9. Drain the organic layer into a small conical flask. Anhydrous sodium sulphate should be
added with a spatula. To blend the contents of the flask, swirl it with the bung. Allow the
mixture to rest, sometimes swirling it, until it seems completely clear.
10. Fill a 50 cm3 pear-shaped (or round-bottomed) flask halfway with organic liquid.
11. Set up the flask for distillation.
12. Collect the liquid that is boiling at a temperature between 50 and 52 degrees Celsius.
13. Put the pure product in a sample tube, then label it.
Discuss strengths and weaknesses of reaction conditions, type of reaction and ways to
improve:
One advantage I discovered when conducting this reaction condition was that I heated the mixture
in the flask using a hot plate, which allowed me to control and raise the temperature to 45OC while
also vibrating the mixture to stir it at the same time. This prevented me from having to constantly
stir the mixture, ensuring that heat was evenly distributed throughout and ensuring that the
temperature remained consistent. The hot plate could only contact the end of the cone since the
Unit 14: Applications of Organic Chemistry 14D: Investigate organic chemistry reactions in order to
gain skills in preparative organic chemistry. Making designer chemicals
Practical: to investigate chlorination of 2-methylpropan-2-ol
Experiment 1
Aim: To produce and purify a sample of 2-chloro-2-methyl propane
Health and safety
- The hydrochloric acid is corrosive and could produce hydrogen chloride fumes that is both
toxic and corrosive.
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate and calcium chloride are irritants and can cause a severe
reaction on the skin
- 2-methylpropan-2-ol is a flammable and harmful substance, so keep it away from any flames
and keep it out of contact with the skin and clothes
- 2-chloro-2-methylpropane is also flammable
- Lab coat must be worn at all times to protect from any acid/solution spillages
- Googles should always be worn to protect the eyes from coming in contact with any
airborne acids or solutions.
- Gloves must be worn at all times when handling the solutions to protect the skin on the
hand surface from coming in contact with the acids.
Equipment
✓ Large 250cm3 conical flask with bung
✓ 100cm3 separating funnel with bung
✓ 250cm3 beaker for liquid run out of separating funnel
✓ Filter funnel to fit separating funnel
✓ Apparatus for distillation with 50cm3 pear-shaped (or round-bottomed) flask and
thermometer able to read up to 100 C
✓ 25cm3 and 100cm3 measuring cylinders
✓ 2-methylpropan-2-ol
✓ Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution
✓ 6g powdered anhydrous calcium chloride
✓ Anhydrous sodium sulfate
✓ Small conical flasks with bungs
✓ Sample tube
✓ Silver nitrate solution
✓ Dilute sodium hydroxide solution
✓ Dilute nitric acid
✓ 70 cm3 concentrated hydrochloric acid
✓ Test tubes
✓ Spatulas
✓ 5cm3 ethanol
✓ Bunsen burner
Method
, 1. Pour 10 cm3 of 2-methylpropan-2-ol and 35 cm3 of concentrated hydrochloric acid into a
large conical flask, then gently swirl the contents in the flask
2. Place the bung in the flask's mouth. Remove the bung and gently spin once more and
remove the bung to release the pressure.
3. Before releasing the pressure, spin the liquid with the bung in place for about 20 minutes.
There should be two layers in the flask. The upper layer contains the crude product
4. 6 grammes of powdered anhydrous calcium chloride should be swirled about in the flask
until it dissolves. This maintains any alcohol that hasn't yet reacted in the watery layer
below.
5. The reaction mixture should be placed partly into a separating funnel. Leave the mixture to
divide into two layers. Take off the bottom layer and throw it away. In the separating funnel,
keep the organic layer on top.
6. 20 cm3 of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution should be added to the separating funnel. To
release the pressure brought on by the carbon dioxide generation, periodically swirl the
funnel and remove the bung. It is best to run off and remove the bottom watery layer.
7. Repeat the washing with sodium hydrogen carbonate at regular intervals, shake the
separating funnel, and expel the carbon dioxide gas produced.
8. Take off the bottom layer and throw it away. Ensure that the aqueous layer is removed from
the tap.
9. Drain the organic layer into a small conical flask. Anhydrous sodium sulphate should be
added with a spatula. To blend the contents of the flask, swirl it with the bung. Allow the
mixture to rest, sometimes swirling it, until it seems completely clear.
10. Fill a 50 cm3 pear-shaped (or round-bottomed) flask halfway with organic liquid.
11. Set up the flask for distillation.
12. Collect the liquid that is boiling at a temperature between 50 and 52 degrees Celsius.
13. Put the pure product in a sample tube, then label it.
Discuss strengths and weaknesses of reaction conditions, type of reaction and ways to
improve:
One advantage I discovered when conducting this reaction condition was that I heated the mixture
in the flask using a hot plate, which allowed me to control and raise the temperature to 45OC while
also vibrating the mixture to stir it at the same time. This prevented me from having to constantly
stir the mixture, ensuring that heat was evenly distributed throughout and ensuring that the
temperature remained consistent. The hot plate could only contact the end of the cone since the
