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Benzoic Acid: Sublimed from Gum Benzoin into a Paper Cone at 170 °C (Mohr, after Thorpe 1912)
Gum benzoin, the fragrant resin of Styrax trees, holds benzoic acid that rises as a vapour when gently heated. Mohr's way lets it pass through filter paper into a paper cone, where it settles as crystals.
Result: colourless crystals of benzoic acid smelling slightly of vanilla, about 4 % of the gum.
Source: Thorpe, Dictionary of Applied Chemistry, vol. 1 (1912), Benzoic acid (Mohr, Annalen 29, 177). Picture drawn by Youblob.
Beginner
4 hours
Instructions
1
1
Break the gum into small pieces
Break the gum into small pieces
Break gum benzoin into small pieces and put them in a flat iron vessel.
Materials for this step:
Gum Benzoin100 parts by weightTools needed:
Mortar and Pestle
Cast Iron Bowl2
2
Paste filter paper over it and tie on a paper cone
Paste filter paper over it and tie on a paper cone
Paste filter paper over the mouth of the vessel. Over it place a large conical cap of strong paper that fits the vessel exactly, and tie it round the rim.
Tools needed:
Filter Paper
Kraft Paper Roll (Brown)
Cotton Twine3
3
Heat gently on a sand bath at about 170 °C
Heat gently on a sand bath at about 170 °C
Heat gently over a sand bath at about 170 °C. The benzoic acid sublimes through the filter paper and collects as crystals inside the cone. A pound of acid takes three to four hours.
Tools needed:
Sand Bath
Thermometer4
4
Take the crystals out of the cone
Take the crystals out of the cone
At the end, remove the colourless crystals from the paper cone. The yield is about 4 % of the gum. Ours: keep them in a closed jar.
Tools needed:
Glass Jars with LidsMaterials
1- 100 parts by weightPlaceholder
Tools Required
8- Placeholder
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