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Technical data


Differentiation of ethanol and methanol

Article no: P7171902

Principle

Borax (sodium tetraborate, Na2B4O7·10 H2O) hydrolyzes easily. The boric acid which is so formed reacts easily with methanol to form boric trimethyl ester, which is volatile and burns with a green flame. Boric triethylester is only produced in this way when
the reaction is proton catalyzed or if pure boric acid is used.

Advanced courses: This experiment can be regarded as a simple esterification reaction and can be discussed when esterifications or nucleophilic substitutions are discussed in general. The boric triester can be compared to the triesters of glycerol.

Learning objectives

  • Methanol can be distinguished from ethanol by the formation of the methyl ester.
  • This ester burns with a green flame, while ethanol burns with a pale-blue flame.

Benefits

  • Easy teaching and efficient learning by using interactive experimentation PHYWE-Software
  • Experiment is part of a complete solution set with experiments for the topic Organic Chemistry matched with international curriculum: all topics are covered

 

Scope of delivery

Evaporating dish, porcelain, various sizes 32516-00 4
Spoon, special steel 33398-00 1
Laboratory pen, waterproof, black 38711-00 1
Protecting glasses, clear glass 39316-00 1
Glass rod, boro 3.3, l=200mm, d=6mm 40485-04 1
Pipette with rubber bulb 64701-00 3
Ethanol extra pure ab.95% 1000 ml 30008-70 1
Methanol, tech.gr. 1000 ml 30142-70 1
Butane burner with cartridge, 220 g 32180-00 1
Wood splints, package of 100 39126-10 1
Iodine potass.iodide sol., 250 ml 30094-25 1
Copper foil, 0.1 mm, 100 g 30117-10 1
Funnel, diameter = 50 mm, plastic (PP) 36890-00 1
Beakers, Boro, low form, various sizes 46054-00 1
Graduated cylinder, 10 ml, plastic 36636-00 1
- CHE-882258434 1
Round filters, 100 pcs., various sizes 32977-03 1
Test tubes,160x16mm, 10pcs 36301-03 1

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www.phywe.com