Blaming for survival

No matter how distanced we may seem at the surface, we are intermingled on the inside. As we concentrate on every minuscule detail, we overlook the big picture. You and me, we're alike. We fear the same things in life. We dread the same consequences. We love the same comfort and we strive for the same success. Problem is, we're all quick to point fingers and blame each other for our own shortcomings. It just seems... easier. But see... while we are focusing on transferring all this hatred, all this disgust, and all this disappointment, we seem to ignore the fact that we have been just wasting time. It could take us half that time to improve ourselves and change our lives for the better. But we're in a hurry. We are too quick for our own good. We are hurt and we act fast to create a gap between the horrifying truth and ourselves. It's how we survive. It's wrong, yet it's right to us because that is how we see ourselves healing from our mistakes. Mistakes that we will not claim.

Sometimes it's okay to accept that things don't make sense. Sometimes it's alright to feel confused and lost. Sometimes there is nothing we can do and it is fine to presume whatever that has been done was inevitable to begin with. But let's hold on a second here.

These are two different situations. One situation is where we have done something we aren't proud of, something we wish we could either take back or improve on, something that we are not comfortable owning up to. The other situation is something that is clearly out of our hands. Fate. Uncontrollable.

You know what is so sickening though? How we love to blend the two situations above, as if we don't know any better. It's kind of that evil genius in us. How we can be so manipulative and try to confuse our own minds with what the absolute truth is. Is this survival? Is it really helpful? And if so, to who?

Life is what you make it.

Life is what you make it. I have said this for the longest time and truly do believe in it. I don't sit there with any expectations though. I'm not using the term to define myself as a pessimist, nor am I going to say I'm an optimist. What I mean is how you see life is definitely up to you, whether what it is in actuality might be as factual as it can be.

You live a life full of struggle. Every day is worse than the one before. The next meal is a mystery. The next minute is unpredictable. Your life is terrible. What can you make of it? Plenty. Are odds against you? Definitely. But is that what I am referring to? No.

Most likely you will suffer and will keep on suffering until you pass away and fold on the horrible hand you were dealt. But how is life what you make it? Those simple moments you did live, how did you see them? How did you feel about them? What made you different from the person next to you? Did you laugh some days or did you cry all the time? Did you sit there and think about the beauty in everything you saw or did you wish for it to rot? Did you go out there and hug the world and its warmth or did you isolate yourself in darkness, in the cold, waiting for the dark?

Every second we spend, the way we spend it, tells a lot about us. It's not about what we've been given to work with, and even what we will end up doing with it, but HOW we feel at those given moments and how we see ourselves and those around us.

Different states

Sometimes when we're thinking, we begin to take note that we are deep in thought. Is that even possible? Can we distance ourselves yet be tangled in tumors of memories? Can we become fully aware of our surroundings and still be lost? I can see myself stuck in loops, repeating moments, wasting time in endless mazes. I realize this. I'm able to make complete sense of my abilities at the time.  During all of that, I find myself underneath stacks of past mistakes, embedded in my presence, in the present, within layers of stress.  Or I've shifted into the future, planning out every move that can get me to where I'll probably never be.

Can I exist in two different states? Ones that contradict each other?  Can I be calm as ever while having an anxiety attack? I believe anything is possible so I shouldn't rule anything out. It's human nature to conclude what we cannot achieve, not what we can and have or will. I can't sit here and keep pointing out that I am writing this blog while being so lost in it that I cannot stop typing. I am self aware and I am also too lazy to be analytical.

Dissolve.

Sometimes it is best to let yourself dissolve, to let yourself become part of the mixture, to let yourself submerge. As calming as it sounds, it's quite the opposite. Nowadays, it takes more to maintain that serenity, that composure. Don't get me wrong. You should never stop yourself from speaking out. You should give voice to every thought that deserves an audience. I'm talking about a different type of state. It's where you let the reactants react while you wait for them to calm down and take their place. You're not in motion, they are. You're the stability. You're the assurance. The guarantee. The affirmation. You're still and it's good to be just that. You won't become simple. You can never be that. You're complex as they come. Complicated. Perplexed at times. But why let the confusion define you? Let it guide you. Let the irony displace itself while you stay in one place.

It's the only way sometimes.

Becoming what we fear.

In order to understand our relationship with this world, we must put our point of view to sleep. We must see ourselves from the outside. Not just outside of our bodies but outside of our minds. This outer perspective cannot be a familiar feeling. If we attempt to try this, we must realize that it has to feel out of place. It has to feel unwelcoming. If not, we aren't there yet. We aren't seeing things from an absolute side. We can only do that if we have pushed ourselves to the point that we are unsure if we can even identify ourselves any longer. We must become strangers in order to see the truth, to see things from a stranger's point of view. We must become the unknown. We must become what we fear.

Truth.

While we stay fixated on what is true, we confuse ourselves within lies. As hard it is to readjust our perspective to realign ourselves with what's right, we can't help but feel so wrong. The truth isn't defined by our belief of what it is, but rather what it exists as its own. Our facts, formed by our eyes, our ears, and our senses, is subjective at every corner, at every turn. Misconceptions. Miscommunication. Misunderstandings. We are misguided at every "truth." But see, it becomes too hard to dissect our truth to find the real one. It becomes too difficult to detach ourselves from our assurance. We can't give birth to doubt when assurance reigns our mind. We cannot subject ourselves to such harsh conditions where our truth may not be just that. It's horrendous just considering it for even a second! How can it be? How can something we have touched, seen, heard, smelled, and tasted not be what we have defined it to be? How can our definitions be just descriptions, skewed by our opinions? How can these facts we have revealed just be opinions after all? OR worse... misinformation? Can it be that what we believe to be the truth is anything but that? Can it be that we go on with our lives for years and years just to convince ourselves that our truth is the only truth and that anyone challenging it is an advocate of lies? That we are not capable of lies because our memory serves us right? That our memory of what we have touched and seen and heard and smelled and tasted is so accurate.... no one can change a second of those moments with their OWN truths? This is what I have been dealing with today. I've been interacting with a person who feels that their truth is the ultimate truth, while everyone else around disagrees. This person's memory is evidence for the truth they believe in. How can memory not be an altered version of the truth? How can memory be so right? Memories are distorted. Present emotions influence past ones. How can OUR sense of what our memories ARE be any close to the truth? It sounds like it would be anything but! We are fueled by anger and misguided emotions. We are troubled. We are broken and we think our false memories can bring us closer to a solution. Well, solutions cannot be reached if the situation is built on a lie, an altered memory, a made up problem, a distortion. And there you have it people, what my day has been like today. Sitting there, trying to reason with someone to convince them that their truth is anything but that. It is like asking for a believer to give up his faith. It's undoable unless you can show them something greater. What's greater than your truth? The real truth.

Problems.

We cannot run away from our problems because problems aren't something that remain in detachable rocks that you can hide and walk away from. These problems are embedded in us. We can walk to any part of this world, any time of our life, and until we resolve these problems... They will not only continue to exist but they will keep knocking at our door. You may not agree but that could be because you haven't heard the knock. Or you have, but you are too afraid to admit it. We can't be brave all the time, but we have to decide to devote ourselves to bravery at some point. That is the only way to set ourselves free from the problems. Set ourselves to explore a period of serenity. A moment of peace. Silence filled with shouting joy. Timeless ending to the pain.

Racists.

We can't find racism because it is embedded in our soul because society has given birth to this seed. We have allowed other people's distorted views to mold ours. We are not fucking unique. We are a product of them. Recycled. We aren't different nor are we oh so enlightened. We aren't some elites so different from our parents, our grandparents, our ancestors. We are them and the only thing different is moderation. Does that equal improvement? No.  It is because as a whole we move into a direction where moderation is acceptable. And this is even more detrimental at times. Why? Because underneath this superficial moderation, we are racists and we let it remain hidden only to release it in bits so it would all go unnoticed. We don't fool anyone else though. Ever notice the number of misanthropes out there? It's growing by the second, or by the racist I mean.

No longer.

We enable ourselves to feel the worst. That is how we prepare ourselves to shut every possibility around us in those few panicking moments. We fight every inch of optimism in order to prepare ourselves to experience the worst. Is that how we should live? Does it hurt less? Does it break the fall? Lessen the impact? I don't know. I've been the same person, the one that will choose to be in isolation so she can feel the pressure. The hurt. The attack. I have to feel the rush and in those few moments, feel the worst that I can so the moments after can only feel better. Is that ideal? Is that how we should behave?

People tell me that isn't the way to live. There is no justified reason for feeling those sick moments. No need to fight the pressure and no need to breathe within it. How can that be? How can I feel good without feeling bad? How can I laugh after without crying first?

No one answers me but I know it all very well myself. Let's be blunt. Be honest. I have done it to me and you cannot ever understand why because you have never done it to yourself. And with that in mind, I am foreign to you. I am something incomprehensible to you. I am not your ideal. I am far from that and you are estranged within my lips. I am that image in your mind where I am just a distanced memory. I cannot win your heart because I am literally handing it back to you with the way I isolate myself in complete dissolution. I am not what you want and I drove you to this, wanting just that for those few terrible moments. But now I am no longer in that phase and neither in your heart. Too bad because I now want nothing else but your approval. And too bad, I will never get it.

Failure

We surround ourselves with failure because it strives us to win. While doing so, we begin to readjust our perspective on what is winning and what is losing. To lose is to fail? Or is it failure that causes us to become losers? Can we be winners and lose? Can we be winners and still face failure? How can we redefine these terms so we can feel at ease with our lives? We do so everyday. It has nothing to do with "standards" ... But rather what we are willing to expect.

Understand?

Do you understand that you cannot be truly understood? No one can look into you and figure you out. Half the time, you shock yourself with your own thoughts. Your behavior can be analyzed but not fully understood. No comprehension whatsoever. Take this knowledge and learn to accept your uniqueness. It means that there will always remain a part of every thought that will be kept a secret. A secret between you and you. What is better than that? It keeps that mystery factor alive. It keeps you safe. It keeps you from becoming old news, crumbled pages, an old rag. Understand? No? Awesome.

Revolve.

We can keep running or we can sit there and try to make sense of what is happening to us. It sounds like a choice but it really isn't. We must do what we have to considering the situation we are in. We can't freeze time but nor should we freeze ourselves. We can't let everything else revolve around us because sometimes we have to revolve too. Evolve. Involve. Solve. Resolve. But what do we do? We dissolve. And we cry about it but no one hears us. Muffled by denial and ignorance. Story of our lives but let's change the ending. We can. Really. All we have to do is not hand them the pen.

Catch.

No matter how much of ourselves we throw out there, someone has to be willing to catch us. Every bit of us. If they don't catch or haven't learned how to, that is no good to us. Why do we surround ourselves with such people though? It is a mockery. It is hurtful because as we lose pieces of ourselves hoping to be rejoined in better harmony, sometimes all that happens is that we just lose parts of us that we will never gain back. As tragic as that sounds, we should never try to refrain from trying. You never know who is on the other end of that throw, waiting to catch you at every angle, every distance, every height, at every moment.

Euphoria introduction

A little tighter grip. A cozier hug. A wetter kiss. And we think we have it all in our hands and that nothing can go wrong. That is euphoria and it is an illusion. It is unreal and that is what makes it to prominent in our minds.. In our hearts. This world can't sustain itself this way. A tripping concept but it is what it is. You have another theory? Sure you do but theories don't always work the way we would want them to. And that is real.

Done.

There are times when living becomes difficult. A challenge. It becomes the hardest task to stay alive, to stay away from danger, to keep yourself breathing. Obstacles over obstacles. It gets overwhelming. You can't think. You can't hear yourself exist. You think you are blending in, with all the heat, with all the noise. You may be just a background. Smearing into the humidity. Fearing everything while you search for order. Order for guidance. You have never been so lost. That was me today. How was your day?

Sick people

We are sick people and we will never be satisfied. We have anger that brews in our hearts. Our disappointments and sadness spice up our resentments.  We are corrupted as they come, gnawing at ankles so people can't walk. How can we expect an unreactive reaction? I am sorry, but are we expecting a slap of silence? Humility in their stares? An attack through their stillness? That is ridiculous. That isn't real. You know what is real? This world is real. Real as we can be, creating illusions to face reality. To show what is true... by masking in deception. I hate this world. I hate us. I hate what we become, every day that passes by. I hate what we come across just because of what we lay on the paths of others.

Room for room

They always say make room for this or that. We need to make room for room. Take the time to see if we can allow ourselves to wind down and come up with ways to fit in more.  To keep including. To keep inviting and letting more and more impact you. That is something we must prepare ourselves for. Otherwise, if we skip this step, we will find ourselves rushing through. Confused. Questioning why we aren't getting enough time to put enough in us. Let's take a breather. Let's wrap ourselves in creaming orders so we can rub it in our pores. Let it smoothen out our ridges and melt away friction.

Shadows

I don't remember when's the last time I danced with my shadow. The last time I let it slip from underneath me. Or the last time I let it lead me. The thoughts conjure up and I become more and more hesitant about what is real, what is divine, and what is just. Nothing is balanced but we strive for it anyways. We end up so unhappy though. Perhaps such sadness is justified by a damaged soul and a crippled shadow.

Out loud...

Whispers seem quiet, yet they scream in your ear. So loud, you are deafened with sound. We go on in this life keeping everything so low key, so hush hush, that sometimes we become an open book. Our pages flip at their fingertips, our edges bend when they want to remember. We think we control us, that we control the base. What good does it do? What good can it do? Our lives are run by their rules. Our secrets are piercing loud, ripping silence into crumbs. We are just specks at the end of the day. We remain quiet so they can hear us shouting. We look away just to make eye contact with guilt. We sigh so softly, just to cry it out. We show the cleanliness just to be stained with hate. What good can we do? Not much, you see. We are secrets that are raped by ears, abused by tongues, and whored by lips. We are so loud. Out and about, no matter how buried we remain.

Obsession

It becomes hard to differentiate what obsession is, what love is, what infatuation is, what a friendship is and so on. They all intermingle and sometimes that leads to something so wonderful. It is an experience that tells one a lot about oneself. It reveals beautiful secrets, images, emotions while also exposing internal fears. While it may become too distorted to keep watching, there is nothing else to do. You watch yourself become this beautiful nightmare. You try to grip reality while you take bliss in losing control. It is a struggle to live in the moment but almost detrimental to even think about escape. Sometimes we need to let go, to let free, to let ourselves destroy the other half so we can live in peace.

Crystallization - Organic Chem Lab

CRYSTALLIZATION


Objectives

• To show, by experimentation, the seven step process of crystallization by:

• Successfully determining the appropriate solvents for the solutes given

• Being able to dissolve the solute successfully in the chosen solvent

• Decolorizing the solution using Pelletized Norit

• Filtering Suspended Solids

• Crystallizing solute

• Collecting and Washing the Solute

• Drying the product

• To be able to use different compounds with precaution, especially when heating these compounds to a boil

• Understanding the method behind the 7 step process of crystallization and different experimental steps to obtain the same solution



Background Information: MSDS

Compounds Boiling Points (Celsius) MSDS Overview

Water 100 Flammability: 0 Health: 0, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: A – noncorrosive and non-irritant for skin. Nonirritant for lungs, eyes, indigestion, inhalation. When heated, it can become burn skin. When heated, must protect eyes and wear goggles.

Methanol 64.5 Flammability: 3, Health: 1, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: H, health hazard 2, and fire hazard 2. Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator).Flash Point: Closed cup 12 Celsius degrees and open cup 16 Celsius degrees. Soluble in hot or cold water.

Ethanol 78.5 Flammability: 3, Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: H, health hazard 2, fire hazard 3. Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant). Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion. Non-corrosive for skin, eyes and lungs. Flash point: closed up 18.5 Celsius degrees. Easily soluble in cold water, hot water, methanol, diethyl ether. Soluble in acetone.

Acetone 56.2 Flammability: 3, Health: 1, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: H, health hazard 2, fire hazard 3. Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator). Flash point: closed up -20 Celsius degrees and open cup -9 Celsius degrees. Soluble in cold and hot water.

Acetic Acid 118.1 Flammability: 2, Health: 3, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: H, health hazard 3, fire hazard 2. Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, permeator), of eye contact (corrosive). Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage particularly on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and respiratory tract. Skin contact may produce burns. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe irritation of respiratory tract, characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of breath. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening or blistering. Easily soluble in cold and hot water, diethyl ether, acetone. Miscible with Glycerol, alcohol, Benzene, Carbon Tetrachloride. Insoluble in Carbon Disulfide. Flash point: closed cup 39 Celsius degrees and open cup 43 Celsius degrees.

Phthalic Acid 295 Flammability: 1, Health: 3, Personal Protection: H, health hazard 3, reactivity 1, fire hazard 1. Considered not to be toxic to the environment so it can be washed down the drain. Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, permeator), of eye contact (corrosive). The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or respiratory tract, characterized by burning, sneezing and coughing. Severe overexposure can produce lung damage, choking, unconsciousness or death. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering. Flash point: closed up 151.67 Celsius degrees and open cup 165 Celsius degrees. Very slightly soluble in cold water, diethyl ether.

Sucrose N/A Flammability: 1, Health: 1, Personal Protection: X, health hazard 1, reactivity 0, fire hazard 1. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Flash point: closed cup higher than 93.3 Celsius degrees. Easily soluble in cold water. Partially soluble in methanol. Insoluble in diethyl ether.

Acetanilide 304 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Flash point is open cup, 173 Celsius degrees.

Benzoic Acid 249.2 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Be sure to use under approved respirator. Flash point is closed cup, 121 Celsius degrees.

Salicylic Acid 211 (Dec) Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Light and moisture sensitivity. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Be sure to use under approved respirator. Severe exposure can result in death. Flash point is closed cup, 157 Celsius degrees.

Anthracene 342 Flammability: 1, Health: 0, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E, fire hazard 1. Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation

is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering. Flash point: closed up 121 Celsius Degrees. Insoluble in cold water.

Naphthalene 218 Flammability: 2 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, permeator). Severe over-exposure can result in death. Flash point: closed up 88 Celsius degrees and open cup 79 Celsius degrees. Partially soluble in methanol, n-octanol. Very slightly soluble in cold water, hot water



Materials

• Stainless steel spatula

• Reaction tube or a 10x75 mm test tube

• Calibrated dropped or Pastuer pipette

• Stirring rod (4 mm)

• Wash bottle

• Hot plate

• Erlenmeyer flasks

• 10-mL graduated cylinder

• Boiling stick – a stick of wood

• Cork ring

• Beakers

• Filter paper

• Hirsch funnel

• Hazardous waste container

• Nonhazardous waste container

• Decolorizing Charcoal (norit)

• Thermometer

• Aspirator tube



Procedure

1) Gather all needed materials for this experiment

2) Immediately wear safety goggles and apron and make sure to put all books away.

• For experiment 1:

1) To perform the solubility test for crystallization, first transfer about 10mg using a stainless steel spatula into a reaction or test tube of 10X75 mm.

2) Add .025 mL of solvent using a pipette

3) Stir with stirring rod (4mm) to break any lumps

4) Test different solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, or acetic acid at room temperature to see if solute dissolves.

5) Keep trying different solvents until it does not dissolve

6) Once it does not dissolve, then heat suspension and see if solution occurs. Use either bath water or hot plate. Follow instructions on machinery as written. Use a beaker to place the tube for heating. If solute dissolves, it is soluble

7) Cool solution by holding flash under tap and if needed, induce crystallization by rubbing walls of tube with stirring rod

8) Reheat to dissolve solid,

9) Let solution stand undisturbed

10) Inspect character of crystals formed

• For experiment 2:

1) To crystallize pure phthalic acid, first crystallize 1 g of phthalic acid from minimum amount of water using data in lab

2) Add solid to the smallest Erlenmeyer flask

3) Use pipette to add water drop wise from a full 10 ML graduated cylinder

4) Use boiling wooden stick to prevent bumping

5) After addition of portion of water, gently heat on hot plate

6) As soon as boiling occurs, add water until all solid dissolves

7) Place flash on cork ring and allow it to cool undisturbed to room temperature

8) Observe crystallization

9) Cool flask in ice bath and decant by pouring off the mother liquid which is the liquid remaining with the crystals

10) Remove last traces of liquid with pipette

11) Scrape crystals onto filter paper using stainless steel spatula

12) Squeeze crystals between sheets of filter paper to remove moisture

13) Let crystals dry

14) Compare calculated volume of water with volume of water actually used to dissolve the acid

15) Calculate percent recovery of dry, recrystallized acid

16) To clean up, dilute filtrate with water and flush solution down the drain

• For experiment 3:

1) For decolorization of sucrose, dissolve 15g of dark sugar in 30mL of water in a 50mL Erlenmeyer flask by heating and stirring with stirring rod

2) Pour half of the solution into another 50mL flask

3) Heat one of the solutions nearly to boiling point and let it cool slightly

4) Add 250mg of decolorizing charcoal (norit pellets)

5) Bring solution back to boiling point for 2 minutes and filter the hot solution into flask through fluted filter paper held in a previously heated funnel

6) You may heat the funnel by turning it upside down and placing it on the hotplate for a couple seconds and then drying it off

7) Treat the other half of the sugar solution same way using only 50mg of decolorizing charcoal

8) Try heating solutions for only 15 seconds after addition of charcoal with lab partner and compare results

9) Clean up by decanting aqueous layer and placing charcoal in hazardous waste container. Flush sugar down drain

• For experiment 4

1) To purify an unknown, purify 100mg or 2 grams of an unknown as instructed

2) Test for solubility as shown above and also test for ability to crystallize in different solvents

3) Conserve unknown by using small quantities

4) If only drops of solvents used, solvent can be evaporated by heating the test tube on steam bath or sand bath

5) Submit as much pure product as possible, and identify the unknown

6) Clean up by placing decolorizing charcoal and filter paper in nonhazardous waste container. Put the organic solvents in organic solvents disposal container

7) Record all data and observations during all experimentations



Data & Calculations

Note: Please also see original laboratory report sheet initially provided, attached to post-lab.

Experiment 1: Solubility Test for Crystallizations: NOT DONE DUE TO INEFFICIENT TIME

Experiment 2: Crystallization of Pure Phthalic Acid:

o Mass of impure Phthalic Acid: .5174 grams

o Calculated Volume of Water Needed:

18 grams of Phthalic Acid / 100mL of H2O solvent = .5174 grams of Phthalic Acid / X

18X / 18 = 51.74 / 18 where X = 2.87 mL

o Actual Volume of Water Used: 5.5 mL

o Recovered pure Phthalic Acid: .3574 grams

(Recrystallized Phthalic Acid)

o Percent Recovery:

Collected Mass / Initial Mass = .3574 grams / .5174 grams = .6908 X 100 = 69.08%

o Melting point of recrystallized Phthalic Acid: Range of 77 – 81 degrees Celsius

Experiment 3: Decolorization of Brown Sugar (Sucrose, C12H22O11)

Mass of brown sugar weighed: 15.1111 grams

Volume of water used as solvent: 30 mL

Mass of decolorizing charcoal (Norit pellets) weighed: .2506 grams

 Part I: Results of 250mg (.25 grams) of charcoal: Qualitative data shows that brown sugar solution changed in appearance slightly after addition of 250mg of charcoal. Dark brown color changed to a slightly lighter dark brown complexion.

(Brown Sugar Solution prior to Addition of Norit pellets)



(Norit Pellets)

(Brown Sugar Solution after Addition of Norit pellets)

 Part II: Results of 50mg of charcoal: NOT DONE DUE TO INEFFICIENT TIME

 Part III: Results of short heating cycle: NOT DONE DUE TO INEFFICIENT TIME



Observations

In experiment 2, after calculating the amount of water required for recrystallization of pure Phthalic Acid, about 5.5 mL of water was used instead. This was done by accidently during experimentation and not realized until during the forming of the crystals. At that point, further filtration method of a vacuum was used to isolate the crystals from the excess water. Also note the small size of the formed crystals, compared to the results of other lab students, which were much bigger in size (as shown in the picture). The crystals were thoroughly dried when weighed afterwards since they were left in the lab for 2 full days. This allowed the percent recovery to be more accurate.

In experiment 3, it is to be noted that only about .25 grams of decolorizing charcoal was used. This experiment required the brown sugar to be split into two different solutions, with one having .25 grams of the Norit pellets in it, and the other .50 grams. With only .25 grams being used for the whole solution (much more volume), the solution only slightly changed colors, from dark brown to a lighter dark brown (as shown in the pictures). Upon those who did have the time to try the experiment with .50 grams of Norit pellets, it was witnessed that color change was much more intense and noticeable, causing the brown sugar to become a lighter caramel complexion.



Conclusion with Mention of Possible Errors

Two experiments were performed in this lab write up involving the 7 steps of crystallization. Experiment one involved using these steps to crystallize pure Phthalic Acid and the other experiment focused on decolorizing a brown sugar solution using Norit Pellets. In experiment one; Phthalic Acid was made into a solution with water as a solvent. The acid only dissolved into the solvent once it was brought to a boil. A definition of a good solvent explains how a solvent that will dissolve the solute when the solution is hot but not when the solution is cold. This is because if the crystals dissolve instantly at room temperature, then it cannot be used for recrystallization of the solute since too much of the solute will be part of the solution at a lower temperature. Since too much of the solvent was used, when the solution came to a boil and it was time to cool it down for the crystals to begin forming, there was too much solvent present. Using a vacuum to eliminate the excess water helped filter out the solute. Activated charcoal has a large surface area and can absorb the impurities in a solution that needs to be decolorized. When using Norit pellets to decolorizing the brown sugar, it is important to note the amount of the pellets and also the volume of the solution targeted. The lesser the volume of the solution or the greater the amount of the activated charcoal, the more significant the changes in appearance (color) will be. In the experiment performed, since the solution was not split into two different flasks and only .25 grams of charcoal was used, the colors did not differ much. If the situation was ideal, a light caramel complexion should have been observed. Some of the errors in this lab involved using excess water in experimentation 1, when making a solution for the Phthalic Acid. This error resulted in having to use a vacuum to filtrate the forming crystals, which resulted in dramatic loss of product. When transferring the product from the Erlenmeyer flask to the Hirsch funnel, it became apparent that some of the product was stuck to the inside walls of the flask and could not be removed. Also, when taking out the product on the filter from the Hirsch funnel, some of the wet crystals fell on the table and were unable to be recovered. With 69.08% recovery of Phthalic Acid, about 30.92% of the Phthalic Acid was lost in the methods stated above. Another reason could be that water is such a good solvent that it removed impurities in the original compound as well.

Melting Point Lab - Organic Chemistry

Chapter 3:3 Melting Point


Objectives

To show, by experimentation, that pure substances have a narrower range of melting while impure substances have a broader range, where the beginning and final temperatures of melting are below the melting point of the pure substance

To successfully determine melting point of compounds by using meting point apparatus

To identify unknown substances by comparing observed melting points with previously known substances



Background Information: MSDS



Compounds Melting Points (celcius) MSDS Overview

Acetanilide 114.3 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Flash point is open cup, 173 Celsius degrees.

Adipic Acid 152.1 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, respiratory tract if inhalation occurs. Flash point is closed cup, 196 Celsius degrees.

Benzamide 127-130 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E Can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, respiratory tract if inhalation occurs. Flash point not available.

Benzoic Acid 122.41 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Be sure to use under approved respirator. Flash point is closed cup, 121 Celsius degrees.

Salicylic Acid 159 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Light and moisture sensitivity. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Be sure to use under approved respirator. Severe exposure can result in death. Flash point is closed cup, 157 Celsius degrees.

Succinic Acid 184 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Hazardous in case of skin contact, ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Flashpoint is closed cup, 160 Celsius degrees.

Trans-Cinnamic Acid 133 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 1, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact, ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Flash point is closed cup, more than 100 Celsius degrees.

Urea 133-135 Flammability: 1 (combustible at high temp), Health: 2, Reactivity: 0 (normally stable), Personal Protection: E. May be combustible at high temperatures. In case of fire, for small samples, use dry powder and big fires use water spray and fog or foam. Hazardous in case of ingestion, inhalation, eye contact. Flash point is not available.



Materials Needed

One-end open capillary tubes

Long class column

Thermometer

Melting point apparatus

Spatula for moving substances

Pulverizing tools for powder samples

Goggles

Apron

Clamp

Disposal system: beaker

Procedures

Gather all needed materials for this experiment

Immediately wear safety goggles and apron and make sure to put all books away.

For Experiment 1: To find the melting point (MP) of one of the assigned compounds (Adipic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Succinic Acid), choose one compound

Make sure to use the spatula to pulverize the sample taken into powder form

Transfer the pulverized compound into a one-end open capillary tube and pack the tube until 2-3 mm high by dropping the closed end of the capillary tube down a long glass column, 2-3 times.

Obtain the melting point apparatus, switch on the power, and follow the machinery instructions for setting

As the temperature of the substance is close to the literature MP, start heating it slowly because a thermometer might fall behind and not capture the accurate temperature of the heating compound.

Acknowledge the first tiny droplet of liquids that form because this is the beginning value for the melting range

Acknowledge the last bit of solid that melts because this is the end value for the melting range

Note: Remember that the change of temperature (Celsius) can be .5, 1, or 2 away

If discoloration occurs with or without gas evolution, this means that the compound is decomposed so write “dec” for the MP temperature range

Use the first MP range as an idea of the actual temperature range the compound of the mixture melts

Cool the instrument about 10-15 Celsius below the first MP range before doing another trial. Remember to heat the other trials 2 Celsius degrees per minute.

Do steps 3-10 two more times to make total of 3 trials.

For Experiment 2: Choose one of the unknown compounds (B1, B6, or B8) and perform steps 3-10 to perform three trials to gather three data entries for the MP ranges

For Experiment 3A: Choose two known compounds with different MP and make a mixture by taking 10-15% of one of the compound and mixing it with the 85-90% of the other compound.

Perform steps 3-10 three times to gather 3 MP ranges. Average the values.

For Experiment 3B: Choose two compounds having about the same MP and prepare a 50/50 mixture of the two knowns.

Perform steps 3-10 three times to gather 3 MP ranges. Average the values.

Make sure to record all data and observations

Clean up the area appropriately and put away all equipment where they should be.

Write conclusion/possible errors and finish post lab



Data/Observations



Compound Literature MP (celcius) Trial #1 MP Range Observed Trial #2 MP Range Observed Trial #3 MP Range Observed

1st sight of droplet Melting of last bit of solid 1st sight of droplet Melting of last bit of solid 1st sight of droplet Melting of last bit of solid

Benzoic Acid 122.41 121 124 121 123 121 123

Unknown ____ N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A*

Mixture of known impure compound _____ (10-15%) into known compound ______ (85-90%) N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A* N/A*

Mixture of known compound Urea (50%) and known compound Transinnic Acid (50%) Should be less than 133-135 117 120 116 121 115 120

Urea 133-135 132 134 133 135 N/A* N/A*

Transinnic Acid 133 132 135 133 134 N/A* N/A*

*N/A = NOT AVAILABLE: NOT ENOUGH TIME; RESULTS WERE NOT EXPERIMENTED AND OBTAINED



Observations

When determining the melting point for Benzoic Acid, it is to be noted that the melting ranges were of 2-3 Celsius degrees. When compared to the literature melting point, the melting ranges obtained in lab were precise and also accurate. Determining melting points for an unknown compound did not take place due to not enough time in lab and as per instructed. Determining melting points for an impurity of a compound by approx. 15% of another compound also did not take place due to same reason. When determining the melting ranges for Urea and Transinnic Acid, it is to be noted that the melting ranges were of 2-3 Celsius degrees. When determining the melting points of Urea and Transinnic Acid individually, the melting ranges existed from 1 Celsius degree to 2 Celsius degrees. Afterwards, when a mixture of Urea and Transinnic Acid took place (approx. 50/50 mixture), the melting ranges differed by a larger gap, from 3 Celsius degrees to 5 Celsius degrees. The final melting points were also much lower than the final melting points of these two substances individually, resulting in a total difference of 15-16 Celsius degrees between the two different types of trials.

Conclusions W/ Mention of Possible Errors

In conclusion, when calculating melting points for pure substances, in an ideal situation, the most pure substance should not have a melting range but realistically, they can have a melting range that exists from .5 Celsius degrees to 2 Celsius degrees. Trials done in this lab showed a difference of 2-3 Celsius degrees on average. The multiple trials showed precision and were accurate to a large extent, considering the multiple errors that could have altered the results. When a mixture of Urea and Transinnic Acid took place, it was expected to observe lower final melting points and the ranges for the melting points were expected to be bigger in value. This is due to the fact that more impure a sample is, it displays a broad melting point range in which the beginning and final temperatures are both below the melting point of the individual samples themselves. The melting point of a substance decreases by the amount of impurity present in it. In this experiment, Transinnic acid and Urea had similar melting point ranges but when combined in one sample together, the impure sample melted at a much lower temperature, exhibiting a broader melting range as well. Some errors could have occurred during observation of the first sight of droplet and also the melting of the last bit of solid. This observation may be subjective since it depends on the observer’s perspective and eye vision accuracy. What one scientist can witness as the beginning melting point can differ from another’s due to these variables. Bias can also be a factor since the literature melting points for some of these trials were available beforehand. At least three trials should be done lab experiments of each sample, and due to not enough time, this was not done. More trials can lead to more observable data and greater accuracy and precision.

POST LAB



Given that an unknown solid was found to have a melting point range of 160-161.5, an experiment could be designed to determine whether it is Benzoic Acid, Transinnic Acid, or Urea, or perhaps not any of these substances at all. If a melting apparatus has been provided, specific steps can be taken in order to determine the answer.

Procedure:

Gather all needed materials for this experiment including the MSDS sheets on the three compounds being used in this lab

Immediately wear safety goggles and apron and make sure to put all books away.

For Experiment 1: Use spatula to pulverize the powder sample of Benzoic Acid and transfer the compound into a one-end open capillary tube. Pack the tube by dropping the closed end of the tube on a hard surface, such as the lab desk 2-3 times. Make sure to have it about 2-3 mm high.

Obtain the melting point apparatus, switch on the power, and follow the machinery instructions for setting

As the temperature of the substance is close to the literature MP, start heating it slowly because a thermometer might fall behind and not capture the accurate temperature of the heating compound.

Acknowledge the first tiny droplet of liquids that form because this is the beginning value for the melting range

Acknowledge the last bit of solid that melts because this is the end value for the melting range

Note: If discoloration occurs with or without gas evolution, this means that the compound is decomposed so write “dec” for the MP temperature range

Use the first MP range as an idea of the actual temperature range the compound of the mixture melts

Cool the instrument about 10-15 Celsius below the first MP range before doing another trial. Remember to heat the other trials 2 Celsius degrees per minute.

Do steps 3-9 two more times to make total of 3 trials.

For Experiment 2: Perform steps 3-10 for Transinnic Acid

For Experiment 3: Perform steps 3-10 for Urea.

Make sure to record all data and make observations whether any of the three compounds have similar melting point ranges to the unknown solid. From Experimentation done in our lab, it is expected that none of the 3 compounds will be identified as the unknown due to their low literature melting points.

Clean up the area appropriately and put away all equipment where they should be.

Write conclusion/possible errors and finish post lab