Procedure:
1) Accurately weigh approximately 0.40 g of Dimethyl maleate into a 50 mL round bottom flask that possesses a ground glass joint, and record the weight.
2) Dissolve the Dimethyl maleate in 10 mL of methanol, and add approximately 5 drops of 10% solution (w/v) of zinc chloride in methenol, followed by approximately 1mL of 5% (w/v) morline in methanol, and a small magnetic stirbar.
3) Attatch a water cooled condensor flask and heat the solution at reflux in silicone oil bath for at least 30 mins. the reaction should involve 30 mins of refluxing,not just 30 mins of heating. a setting of about "4" on the hot plate should be sufficent to get the methanol to boil (65 degrees C).
4) Allow the solution to cool at room temperature, then add it to 75 mL of water which has been placed in a separatory funnel. Extract the solution with 50 mL of diethyl ether, and after draining off the aqueus layer, wash the ether layer with another 50 mL portion of water.
5) Pour the remaining ether solution into a 50 mL beaker and allow the solvent to evaporate.
Instructions: Provide the chemical reaction being demonstrated in the experiment. it should include the starting materials, reagents, and products.
The chemical reaction being demonstrated in the experiment is the conversion of Dimethyl maleate to a diester through an esterification process.
Starting materials:
- Dimethyl maleate
Reagents:
- Methanol
- 10% solution (w/v) of zinc chloride in methanol
- 5% (w/v) morline in methanol
Products:
- Diester product (specific name not provided)
Explanation:
Dimethyl maleate, a starting material, is weighed accurately and added to a round bottom flask. It is then dissolved in methanol. To initiate the esterification process, approximately 5 drops of a 10% solution of zinc chloride in methanol are added, followed by approximately 1 mL of a 5% solution of morline in methanol. A small magnetic stir bar is also added for stirring purposes.
A water-cooled condenser flask is attached to the round bottom flask, and the solution is heated at reflux in a silicone oil bath for at least 30 minutes. Refluxing ensures that the reaction proceeds for a sufficient amount of time. The boiling point of methanol is reached by setting the hot plate to around "4", resulting in a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius.
After the refluxing period, the solution is allowed to cool down to room temperature. It is then added to 75 mL of water in a separatory funnel. The solution is extracted with 50 mL of diethyl ether. The diethyl ether layer is separated from the aqueous layer by draining it off, and the ether layer is then washed with another 50 mL portion of water.
Finally, the remaining ether solution is transferred to a 50 mL beaker, and the solvent is left to evaporate. This leads to the formation of the diester product, whose specific name is not provided in the given instructions.