I was hoping to do an esterification (isoamyl acetate) this year with my second year chem class, but I'm lacking the glassware for reflux and distillation. I'm talking microscale quantities - 1-3 mL of reagent. Has anyone modified a lab procedure that can be done with simplified equipment?
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@brianb We make esters in test tubes on a hot water bath. No isolation of product, just smelling it.
I don't have an english procedure, but it's something like this:
Mix 2 mL alcohol and 2 mL acid in a test tube. Carefully add 0,5 mL 98% H₂SO₄. Mix again, using a pipette.
Place the test tube in 80 °C hot water. Temperature doesn't really matter, but don't exceed the alcohol's bp. After 10 min pour everything in to a 100 mL beaker half filled with water, preferably outside. Inhale.
@esbenrossel I just gave it a quick try after school and it worked perfectly. Thanks so much for the help!
@esbenrossel this is perfect...thanks!
