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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2008  > April  >
In the Laboratory
Converting Municipal Waste into Automobile Fuel: Ethanol from Newspaper
Mark Mascal and Richard Scown
Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616
Cover
April 2008
Vol. 85 No. 4
p. 546

Abstract
Waste newspaper is pulped with acid and its cellulose is hydrolyzed. The resulting glucose syrup is fermented with yeast and distilled to give ethanol. The experiment highlights the potential of applied chemistry to confront problems of economic importance, that is, the effective utilization of biomass to reduce dependence on non-renewable petroleum. In the course of this laboratory exercise students are introduced to carbohydrate chemistry and the use of fermentation in organic synthesis. They also gain practical experience in microdistillation, vacuum filtration, and thin-layer chromatography. It is most appropriate for students of the advanced organic chemistry laboratory.
Supplement
Student handouts; Instructor notes
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Citation
Mascal, Mark; Scown, Richard. J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 546.
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Keywords
Acids / Bases; Alcohols; Applications of Chemistry; Biotechnology; Carbohydrates; Carbon; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; Laboratory Instruction; Organic Chemistry; Qualitative Analysis; Second-Year Undergraduate; Synthesis; Thin Layer Chromatography
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
2/26/2008
3/5/2008
 Caution! 
Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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