synthesis of (3E)-4phenyl-3-buten-2-one

Abstract
(3E)-4phenyl-3-buten-2-one was synthesized using Green utilising a Wittig reaction between
Benzaldehyde and Methyl (triohenylphosphoranylidene) acetate. A product of (3E)-4phenyl-
3-buten-2-one was obtained and its mass was calculated to be 0.36g and the %yield was
calculated to be 29%. The retention factors were calculated to be 0.35 and 0.19 for
Benzaldehyde and the product respectively.


Results
Mass of conical flask 100ml: 56.07g
Mass of conical flask 100ml with (3E)-4phenyl-3-buten-2-one: 56.43g
Therefore, mass of product = 56.28g-56.07g
= 0.36g




Benzaldehyde
Mr: 106, 12g/mol
Mass (m): 0.531g (531mg)
Amount: 5mmol


Methyl (triohenylphosphoranylidene) acetate
Mr: 334.33g/mol
Mass(m): 2g
Amount: 6mmol


C7H6O + C4H6O2Ph3P C11H12O2 + Ph3PO


Methyl (triohenylphosphoranylidene) acetate reacts with Benzaldehyde in a 1:1
stoichiometric ratio. Benzaldehyde is therefore a limiting reagent, hence the maximum
amount of (3E)-4phenyl-3-buten-2-one that can be formed is 5mmol.