This lab experiment involved P-Methyl-Acetanilide synthesis from acetic anhydride and a solution of sodium acetate. Different techniques were used in this lab exercise including; vacuum filtration, crystallization, and spectral analysis. The main aim of performing this experiment was to synthesise, isolate, evaluate and analyse P-Methyl-Acetanilide product. We synthesised the product and then, isolated the product by the process of the vacuum filtration. We evaluated the products purity by melting point analysis and performed a spectral analysis (1HNMR spectroscopy) later. The 1HNMR spectroscopy interpretation is a method/ technique used to determine the structures of organic compounds that are unknown (Pavia 128). It stands for proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), and it provides information concerned in organic compounds. For example, hydrogen types that are present in a molecule, the number of hydrogen present, and the hydrogen’s electronic environment.
There was much to learn from the experiment for example filtration techniques. Filtration is used to remove solid particles or impurities from a solution and to isolate organic solids. We learned that types of filtration mainly used in organic chemistry were vacuum and gravity filtration. Vacuum filtration is said to be faster as compared to gravity filtration since reduced pressure is applied to force the solution and the air through a filter paper. In this experiment, vacuum filtration was used. We followed all the experimental procedures as required and obtained the results. The importance of lab safety was emphasized during the entire experiment to avoid any hazards from occurring.
