CHED 515 |
| Much of organic chemistry involves reactions and chemicals that are unfamiliar. We plan to take organic chemistry out of the laboratory and into real life by doing traditional organic reactions using nontraditional reagents. In two easy steps we will be changing the smell of a compound from almond to mint using only household products. Benzaldehyde, our starting compound, is a liquid known for its distinct almond like odor and can be purchased in reasonably pure form as imitation almond extract. Methyl benzoate, our target compound, is used in perfumery and has a distinct minty smell. The first step is oxidation of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid using a supermarket oxidizing agent. Whereas the reactants are all liquids, benzoic acid is a solid with practically no odor. After isolating and purifying the benzoic acid, we will then esterify it with methanol using an acid catalyst to reach our final goal of that mint smelling liquid methyl benzoate. The entire reaction sequence can be completed using only materials one can find in any large supermarket. And as an added benefit, sophisticated equipment is not necessary to tell whether the reactions have worked or not. The phase changes between the steps and the changes in smells are sufficient to determine reaction success. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Organic Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |