Student Comments 2008: Adipic Acid Synthesis: invite key = ochemrules

When doing the nylon portion of this experiment make sure to completely dry the product before weighing. To be sure its dry enough, I would say just wait a week to weigh it. My "ball" of nylon had generous amount of liquid still in it and it made my percent yield about 500%! (this is even after I squeezed out what I could) -Becki H.

Most students didn't actually get a long 'string' of nylon. My strings would only get about an inch long before breaking off. If you lay those to dry on the paper towel they will get stuck to it and you won't be able to use it as part of your product. Rather than lots of short strings, allow your nylon to come out as a ball or several balls. It makes it much easier to collect, except you need to wait a week for it to dry (see above). --Sarah Perz

When refluxing, there is less chance of burning your product if you place the round bottom flask into a beaker of water and place that beaker on a hot plate, instead of placing the flask directly into a thermwell. --Allison Kolman

The lab says that the precipitate will form within 20 minutes...which doesn't necessarily mean close to 20 minutes. So don't go out and chat with someone for 20 minutes while your precipitate forms (not that I did or anything) because more likely than not, it won't take that long. Mine took 10 minutes and I really wasn't watching it. Just a little tid-bit to get you out of lab a little quicker. --Megan Wasz

When transferring the hot reaction mixture into a small beaker, it is necessary to use a pipette, even if any of the phase transfer catalyst that may have seperated does not look present. My mixture did not appear to have any of the phase transfer catalyst left, so I just poured it directly into the beaker. This was definately not effective because I contaminated my solution with the slight amount of phase transfer catalyst that was actually present. This did not allow for my product to be as pure as possible. --Patrick Hughes

When leaving your recrystallized product to dry do not leave it in a drawer because it may get knock over so leave it in the hood so that it will not be knock over when you open and close the door.--Kendall Moore

Making the nylon at the end does not take alot of time at all, so don't freak out when you see that you have to make nylon, it's actually alot easier and faster than it reads. Don't rush through your experiment because you think the nylonw ill take too long to make, take your time with it, and take your time with taking the nylon out, other wise, like sarah said, you're just going to get little strings and not a continuous chain. --Marc Daher

It is cool to see how the solution changes color during the experiment from a bright yellow to a clear cloudy color. Also during the experiment, it is important to watch the temperature so you do not lose any cyclohexane. SO dont start with a high heat or you will have to start over. --Marie-France Likanje

make sure you note the order in which you add the chemicals. If you try top speed through the lab you may end up adding the chemicals in worng, which will give you improper results, and may cause you to have to start over. -Andrea Prosperi

When gathering the nylon, don't just quit after getting a "ball" of nylon from your first try. I kept going back to it to obtain more, which gave me a better percent yield. Also, since it is a different section of the lab, perform the nylon experiment while you are waiting. --Melanie Bonifacio

This experiment seemed never ending and you definitely need to be careful in adding the chemicals to your solution in sequential order. Also be careful when making the nylon because it is sticky, wear glove! Tamara Pike

The nylon 6,6 synthesis at the end of the experiment is by far the most entertaining. When gathering your nylon, I suggest spooling it around your wire while immersed in the liquid. That will ensure maximum yield of the nylon without breakage and mess.

-Laura Volpe

When measuring out the 30% hydrogen peroxide, do so by volume, not by weight, you need to deliver out a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide, and since it is not pure 100% Hydrogen peroxide, you will not deliver enough H2O2 if done by weight. The volume designated to be added takes into account that the H2O2 is 30% .  - Ricardo Rodriguez

Just because it looks harmless doesn't mean that it is!!!!  Wear gloves when "playing" with the Nylon.  This is important throughout the lab but especially when dealing with hydrogen peroxide as well--K.S.

It is important not to rush and stop the reflux before one hour. The two layers should be thoroughly mixed in order to form a nice amount of percipitate. Alicia P

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