Ether Synthesis Lab Report

In step one, 0.05 grams of benzoic acid and dimethoxybenzene were weighed to give a mixture of approximately 0.1 grams. Then in step two, 4.5 milliliters of ether was obtained and chilled in an ice bath for three minutes. The ether was then added to the centrifuge using a pipette. In step four, it was observed that using a wooden stick helped dissolve the simple quicker. Once fully dissolved, one milliliter of 0.5 M sodium hydroxide was added in step four and it was observed that there were two layers. With water being denser, it was observed at the bottom later. In step five, the top layer was rinsed with the bottom layer ten times. In step seven, the aqueous phase was drawn into a reaction tube, it was observed that approximately 1.1 milliliters was drawn into the reaction tube.

Using a process called successive extraction the aqueous phase was drawn and combined with the first portion. To make sure that all traces of sodium hydroxide had been removed, thee ether layer was extracted with one milliliter of deionized water. The deionized water was added to the ether and rinsed five times and then the water added with the aqueous extracts. In step twelve the ether was transferred into a 10 milliliter Erlenmeyer flask. In step thirteen, one scoop of anhydrous sodium sulfate was added to the solution and was allowed to sit for ten minutes. The first process was completed. To regenerate the benzoic acid, the aqueous phased needed to be acidified. This was done by pouring the aqueous phase into a centrifuge tube. Then in step sixteen, 0.5 milliliters of cooled 3 M hydrochloric acid added. To make sure that the solution was acidic, the pH was tested by dipping blue litmus paper into the