UNIT 14. APPLICATIONS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Assignment 14D: Making designer chemicals
Distinction Grade
, PREPARATION OF SALICYLIC ACID FROM OIL OF
WINTERGREEN:
For the preparation of a compound with carbonyl functional group, I have
prepared salicylic acid from methyl-2-hyroxybenzoate (oil of wintergreen). As
oil of wintergreen is an ester, so the product if formed by the hydrolysis of ester.
Firstly, the methyl-2-hydroxybenzoate is converted into a sodium salt of sodium
2-hydroxybenzoate which is then acidified by using hydrochloric acid into
2hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) which is the end product and solid. The
functional groups involved in this reaction are an ester group (-COOCH3) and a
hydroxyl group (-OH). The reaction for this process is electrophilic attacked by
hydroxide nucleotide and forms a tetrahedral intermediate.
Risk assessment:
For this experiment I have used methyl-2-hydroxybenzoate (oil of wintergreen)
which is highly toxic and irritant and can lead to skin or eye irritation and could
be very harmful if swallowed. To keep protected from its effects, it is necessary
to follow proper PPEs such as by wearing gloves to protect the hands, wearing
protected goggles to avoid any irritation to the eyes and a lab coat. The product
produced by this experiment which is 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) is
also very corrosive and toxic, so it is necessary to keep this product in a safe
place. Hydrochloric acid was also used which is highly corrosive, so it was
necessary to keep it in the fume cupboard. The chemicals should be kept away
from flame and hands should be washed immediately after the practical is done.
Balanced equation:
Assignment 14D: Making designer chemicals
Distinction Grade
, PREPARATION OF SALICYLIC ACID FROM OIL OF
WINTERGREEN:
For the preparation of a compound with carbonyl functional group, I have
prepared salicylic acid from methyl-2-hyroxybenzoate (oil of wintergreen). As
oil of wintergreen is an ester, so the product if formed by the hydrolysis of ester.
Firstly, the methyl-2-hydroxybenzoate is converted into a sodium salt of sodium
2-hydroxybenzoate which is then acidified by using hydrochloric acid into
2hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) which is the end product and solid. The
functional groups involved in this reaction are an ester group (-COOCH3) and a
hydroxyl group (-OH). The reaction for this process is electrophilic attacked by
hydroxide nucleotide and forms a tetrahedral intermediate.
Risk assessment:
For this experiment I have used methyl-2-hydroxybenzoate (oil of wintergreen)
which is highly toxic and irritant and can lead to skin or eye irritation and could
be very harmful if swallowed. To keep protected from its effects, it is necessary
to follow proper PPEs such as by wearing gloves to protect the hands, wearing
protected goggles to avoid any irritation to the eyes and a lab coat. The product
produced by this experiment which is 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) is
also very corrosive and toxic, so it is necessary to keep this product in a safe
place. Hydrochloric acid was also used which is highly corrosive, so it was
necessary to keep it in the fume cupboard. The chemicals should be kept away
from flame and hands should be washed immediately after the practical is done.
Balanced equation:
