Isopropyltoluene Synthesis Lab Report

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ABSTRACT Isopropyltoluene isomers were synthesized through the friedel-crafts alkylation of toluene with 2-chloropropane in the presence of aluminum chloride as a catalyst. Through extraction of the distillate with water and 5% NaHCO3, followed by a fractional vacuum distillation, the desired aromatic organic compound was isolated. Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography were used to analyze the composition, purity and to confirm the identity of the prepared product. The sample weighed approximately 2.66g, which reflected a low yield at 47%. However, from the GC the area % (also known as percent purity) was 91.8%, which indicates that a very pure product was obtained. REACTION MECHANISM OBSERVATIONS Please refer to page 36 and 37 of the lab notebook for a full list of observations and data RESULTS AND DISCUSSION a) Yield Calculations Theoretical Yield:3.5mL chlorpropane × 0.8669…show more content…
In the experiment, toluene was alkylated with 2-chloropropane to synthesize isomers of isopropyltoluene in 47% yield, weighing 2.66g. The final product had a purity of 91.8% while the appearance was a colourless clear liquid with a strong odour. The results suggest that although the product yield was low, the experimental design led to the production of isopropyltoluene in high purity. REFERENCES 1. Smith R, McKee J, Zanger M. The electrophilic bromination of toluene: Determination of the ortho, meta, and para ratios by quantitative FTIR spectrometry. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION. 2002;79:227-229. 2. Zachariou M, ebrary eBooks, Springer Protocols. Affinity Chromatography: Methods and Protocols. Vol 421. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2008. 3. Sigma Aldrich: p-isoproyltoluene http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/supelco/442732?lang=en&region=CA (accessed March 19th

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