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Category : Chemisty

Determination of Copper and Lead in Brass

Determination of Cu and Pb in Brass By:  T.A. Alicia Smith Introduction             In this experiment, four different methods were used in determining the concentration of copper and lead presence in the unknown brass sample #10. Methods of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and atomic absorbance spectroscopy were used to measure both copper and lead concentration in the unknown brass while the Gravimetric analysis was used solely to determine the lead concentration. The anodic stripping voltammetric method was also used to […]

Physarum polycephalum Experiment

Introduction Slime molds are one of the most complex and distinct protists that were once considered to be fungi because of their sporophytic reproduction (Wimpee et al. 2013). Slime molds are considered to be a bridging species between the Metazoa and Metaphyta (Sussman 1956). Slime molds are a phagotrophic species, meaning they consume the nutrients they need to grow by engulfing it. Bacteria is a primary food source for most slime molds, and more specifically the plasmodial slime mold which […]

The Role and Nucleophilicity of Chloride and Bromide Nucleophiles in Both Sn1 and Sn2 Substitution Reactions with Tert-Butanol and 1-Butanol

The Role and Nucleophilicity of Chloride and Bromide Nucleophiles in Both Sn1 and Sn2 Substitution Reactions with Tert-Butanol and 1-Butanol By: Rachel Wolfson*, Louis Kuo, Lisa Holmes, Luciano Santino, Cooper Jamieson   ABSTRACT The purpose of this experiment is to determine the relative nucleophilicities of chloride and bromide in both an Sn1 and Sn2 reaction. It also investigates rate law kinetics and solvent effects. Tert-butanol and 1-butanol were reacted separately with equal mixtures of the nucleophiles in order to facilitate both […]

Identification of an Unknown Carbonyl

Identification of an Unknown Carbonyl By: Stacey Walker Abstract The 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) and semicarbazone derivatives of the unknown carbonyl are synthesized and their melting points are obtained. The infrared (IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and boiling range of the liquid unknown is obtained. Based on boiling point and infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance, the derivative is 2,4-pentanedione.   Introduction In this experiment, the 2,4-dinitrohenylhydrozine (2,4-DNPH) and semicarbazone derivatives of an unknown carbonyl (#55) is synthesized. The melting range […]

Extraction of Benzoic Acid

EXTRACTION OF BENZOIC ACID By: Berry Begg Abstract: The experimental goal and purpose for this experiment was to use the primary extraction techniques to separate benzoic acid from a mixture containing cellulose, a natural polymer of glucose, and methyl orange. A new technique utilized during this experiment was extraction. The overall results were skewed because of error during the lab like not allowing the crystals to properly dry. Introduction: This experiment required the extraction of benzoic acid from a mixture of […]

Transforming Bengay into Aspirin

Transforming Bengay into Aspirin   Chemical Reaction Equation Introduction The goal of this experiment is to transform bengay into acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). This process consists of 1) isolating methyl salicylate from the rest of the ointment, 2) hydrolyzing methyl salicylate, and 3) reacting the salicylic acid with acetic anhydride to form acetylsalicylic acid. Methyl salicylate and menthol are extracted by methanol because the other inactive compounds are not soluble in it. The former is then isolated through acid-base extraction since […]