Experiments with carbon or its compounds

 

  element required compound link to experiment
*

C, Ag

AgNO3

HNO3 (dilute)

CaC2 ("carbide")

Preparation of a high explosive . Acetylene gas is bubbled through an acidic solution of silver nitrate. Silver acetylide is formed under these conditions.

*

C, B

H3BO3

CH3OH

CH3CH2OH

Green fire . Methanol, or ethanol, in which some boric acid is dissolved, burns with a bright green flame.

*

C, Cl

Cl2

CaC2 ("carbide")

Violent 'combustion' of acetylene in chlorine gas, explosions without need of supplying heat . Acetylene gas is bubbled into chlorine and this leads to violent explosions.

* C, H

different chemicals for each of the different experiments

 

 

Color of the flame of burning gases. Many different gases are ignited and the flame color is watched. Many of these gases are compounds of carbon.
 

C, N

CH3OH

NaNO2 (or KNO2)

HCl (10%)

A fast and complete formation of an inorganic ester. Methyl nitrite is prepared in this experiment and simply is isolated, because it bubbles out of solution.

* C, Ca

CaCl2

NaHCO3

Explanation of what happens when hard water is heated. This experiment is a nice and safe demonstration and explanation of what happens when hard water is boiled.

*

C, N

HNO3 (≥ 60 %)

H2SO4 (concentrated)

NaHCO3

cellulose wadding

Nitration of a piece of cellulose wadding . A classical experiment, in which common white cellulose wadding is nitrated. The nitrated wadding quickly burns without smoke and without leaving any residue/ashes.

 

physical

CH3CH2OH

CH3OH

H3BO3

Near-explosions of alcohol/air mixes in confined spaces. Alcohol vapor is ignited in flasks with long necks and long tubes.

*

organic

HClO4

NH2CH2CH2NH2

NaHCO3

Violent decomposition of an organic perchlorate salt. A perchlorate salt of a basic organic amine is prepared and it is shown how this salt decomposes violently when it is ignited.

*

organic

HCOOH

CH3COOH

NaOH

Precision electrolysis of acetate and formiate. Acetate and formiate are electrolysed and based on the observations in this experiment, the net reactions are derived. A demonstration of what can be achieved with a combination of careful observation and reasoning.

 

organic

CH3NO2

NaOH

Violent reaction between nitromethane and sodium hydroxide. Nitromethane and sodium hydroxide are mixed. After a short induction time, a very violent reaction starts.

*

organic

red cabbage

HCl (dilute, few percent)

CH3COOH (dilute)

dish washing soap

NH3 (5%)

Na2CO3 (or NaOH)

Fun with red cabbage. Red cabbage juice is treated with solutions of different pH. Surprising colors can be obtained in this way, much more than the well-known pink/rose to violet/blue colors, which one knows from the kitchen.

 

organic

CH3COCH3

styrofoam

Collapsing styrofoam. Acetone is sprinkled on a piece of styrofoam. The styrofoam literally collapses.

* organic

Cu

 

CuI

KI

C5H5N

CH3COCH3

A fluorescent compound of copper. This is an experiment, which is not well known. The effect demonstrated in this experiment, however, is striking and it is a shame that so few people know it. A white compound is prepared which exhibits beautiful bright yellow fluorescence under black-light.
* organic

Cu

CuCO3·Cu(OH)2

CH3COOH

CH2ClCOOH

CCl3COOH

HCOOH

CH3CH2COOH

CH3C(OH)HCOOH

Inductive effect demonstrated by properties of copper acetate and related complexes. In this experiment, copper acetate, but also several substituted and related compounds are prepared. Their properties are compared and a good explanation can be given by the inductive effect.
*

organic

phthalic anhydride

m-C6H4(OH)2 (resorcinol)

H2SO4 (concentrated)

NaOH

Beautiful green fluorescence -- synthesis of fluorescein. A strongly fluorescent compound is made and with a UV-LED the strong fluorescence is demonstrated in a spectacular way.

*

organic

C12H22O11 (plain sugar)

H2SO4 (concentrated)

Dehydration and oxidation of sugar by concentrated sulphuric acid. This is a spectacular experiment, in which sugar is charred by concentrated sulphuric acid and a lot of black foam, smoke and noise is produced.

 

 

   

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