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Common and complex syntheses
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Anhydrous acetic acid often referred to as glacial acetic acid or ethanolic acid is a useful acid that is found in vinegar. Glacial acetic acid (GAA) can be made by oxidizing ethanol with a mixture of potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid (also known as chromic acid) but it is much easier to make it by distillation of an acetate salt and an acid. Sodium acetate is used as a source of acetate ions because it is cheap and easy to make. Sulfuric acid is used as a source of hydrogen ions because it
Esters often have a fruity smell and are used in flavoring and perfume. Fischer esterification a type of esterification and the process of forming an ester by refluxing a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. Carboxylic acids are organic acids characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group. Carboxylic acids include formic acid, aceitc acid, benzoic acid, butyric acid, salicylic acid and anthranilic acid. An alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl grou
Copper benzoate is used in pyrotechnics to create a blue flame. This is desirable because the blue spectrum is often difficult to achieve and a good blue star is the mark of an accomplished pyro. The formula for copper benzoate blue is 82/18 ammonium perchlorate/copper benzoate. Overview of synthesis: Step 1: synthesis of benzoic acid via hydrolysis of sodium benzoate Step 2: synthesis of copper carbonate Step 3: synthesis of copper benzoate Step 1: synthesis of benzoic acid via hydroly
OK this is my first blog post. I plan on posting a variety of entries on how to synthesize various compounds that have interesting chemical properties or have uses in pyrotechnics. However to carry out these procedures it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of chemistry and lab safety. Most I'm sure have forgotten their high schools chemistry courses unless they are currently enrolled so this will be a basic review of most of the information need to preform these yourself or make your own com
