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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004  > January  >
In the Laboratory
The Microscale Laboratory
The Separation and Identification of Two Unknown Solid Organic Compounds: An Experiment for the Sophomore Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Patty L. Feist
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado–Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0215
Cover
January 2004
Vol. 81 No. 1
p. 109
Abstract
An experiment that emphasizes the separation and identification of organic compounds is described. Students are given a mixture of a solid ketone and a solid alcohol and asked to separate and identify the two components. First the students use TLC to determine the optimum solvent system to separate the two compounds, then they separate the unknowns on a microscale flash chromatography column. The students acquire the melting point, and if possible, the IR and 1H NMR spectra for each separated compound and identify them by matching the observed data with that of known compounds. This experiment is inexpensive, microscale, uses relatively nonhazardous chemicals, gives practice in chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and concepts, and encourages critical thinking. The experiment also shows us which students have good lab technique and are able to work on their own.
Supplement
A list of suitable unknown compounds, preparation and procedure notes for the instructor, and a student handout are available.
*  Contents JCE2004p0109W.pdf
*  Download
JCE2004p0109W.pdf
More Information
*  Citation
 Feist, Patty L. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 109.
*  Keywords
 Chromatography; IR Spectroscopy; Laboratory Instruction; Microscale; NMR Spectrometry; Organic Chemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 December 8, 2003
February 18, 2005
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