Description of experiment
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Needed compounds:
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sodium nitrite : NaNO2
sulphuric acid : H2SO4
glycol : CH2OHCH2OH
Class:
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elem=C,N
organic
Summary:
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Ethylene glycol forms a nitrite ester quite easily. Most likely, the ester
formed is a di-ester, on both hydroxyl groups of the glycol.
Description:
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Add appr. 1.5 ml of ethylene glycol to a few ml of 35% sulfuric acid: The
liquids can be mixed completely, some swirling is necessary to have good
mixing.
Add appr. 1 gram of solid sodium nitrite to the mix: The solid nitrite does not
dissolve very easily, it dissolves more slowly than in plain water. Using a
glass rod, the piece of sodium nitrite is crunched somewhat under the liquid
and this helps dissolving it. While the solid dissolves, hardly any gas is
produced. After dissolving a certain amount, the liquid becomes somewhat
cloudy. After a little more time, there is a little bit more production of gas,
but still it is only very minor. The air-mix above
Using a pipette, suck up the yellow liquid and put it in a petri dish. Keep a
flame nearby: The liquid does not ignite.
Point the flame of a propane torch to the liquid: Again there is no ignition.
The flame, however, gets a somewhat greyish color.
Add a little water to the liquid: The liquid dissolves in the water. It
dissolves in water much better than the average mono-nitrite ester.
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The ester has a fruity quite pleasant odor. Be careful though, do not inhale
much of the vapor. The vapor may be toxic and organic nitrites can cause severe
head aches in some people.