Description of experiment
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Needed compounds:
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allyl alcohol : CH2CHCH2OH
sulphuric acid : H2SO4
potassium nitrite : KNO2
Class:
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elem=C,N
organic
Summary:
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Allyl alcohol (having one double bond between carbon atoms) forms a nitrite
ester very easily and this ester is stable, at least for several minutes.
Description:
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Take approximately 1 ml of allyl alcohol and add a few ml of 2 M sulphuric
acid and shake the liquids: The liquids mix completely. The result is a
colorless and clear mix.
In a separate test tube dissolve some potassium nitrite in a little amount
of water and add this solution to the allyl alcohol/sulphuric acid mix: As
soon as the solutions mix, the liquid becomes turbid. A yellow layer of
liquid separates on the top. The aqueous layer remains somewhat cloudy,
albeit not completely turbid. The yellow organic layer is clear and very
easily separates from the aqueous layer. With a pipette, the organic layer
easily can be separated from the aqueous layer.
Transfer some of the yellow liquid to a watch glass and ignite it: The
liquid is very flammable and burns with an orange flame (due to formation
of soot, which burns up in the air in the higher parts of the flames).