Basic Organic Chemistry Techniques

Source: Lara Al Hariri at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA

1. Preparation of the LaboratoryExpand

   Here, we show the laboratory preparation for 10 students working in pairs, with some excess. Please adjust quantities as needed.

   • To set up for this lab experiment, wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, chemical splash goggles, and gloves.
   • Ensure that there are labeled waste containers for non-halogenated organic waste, hydrochloric acid waste, aqueous waste, and glass waste.
   • Place a container of sodium benzoate and a small waste container for excess sodium benzoate by the balances.
   • Ensure that the balances have enough weighing boats, spatulas, and lab wipes for the class.
   • In a fume hood, place 150 mL of tetrahydrofuran in a 250-mL glass bottle. Cap the bottle and label it ‘tetrahydrofuran’.
   • Carefully place 35 mL of 3 M hydrochloric acid in three 50-mL glass bottles. Cap the bottles and label them with the solution's name and concentration.
   • Place these bottles of THF and HCl in a central hood and put away the stock bottles.
   • Set out the following glassware and equipment at each student lab station (we suggest that students work in pairs):

     2    Lab stands

     1    Stirring hotplate

     1    Lab jack

     1    Small thermometer clamp

     3    Medium 3-prong clamp

     1    Condenser

     2    Rubber tubing

     2    Vacuum tubing

     3    50-mL beaker

     2    250-mL beaker

     1    600-mL beaker

     1    5-mL graduated cylinder

     1    10-mL graduated cylinder

     1    50-mL graduated cylinder

     1    250-mL filter flask

     1    50-mL round-bottom flask with cork holder

     1    Büchner funnel with rubber adaptor

     2    Pasteur pipette bulbs

     1    Stir bar

     1    Glass stirring rod

     1    Roll of lab tape with pen

     1    Thermometer

   • Fill plastic wash bottles with deionized water and distribute them around the lab. Set out a tube of vacuum grease and boxes of circular filter papers, laboratory wipes, and Pasteur pipettes in a central location.