THE SOLVENTLESS ALDOL-TYPE CONDENSATION Experiment 22: THE SOLVENTLESS ALDOL-TYPE CONDENSATION

Objectives: To synthesize an a,b unsaturated ketone from an aldehyde and a ketone using solvent-free conditions. To purify the product through a recrystallization. To identify and analyze purity through TLC and melting point analysis. To analyze the product using IR spectra.

Before coming to lab… Review these techniques: Recrystallization TLC Analysis Melting Point Analysis

ALDOL CONDENSATIONS Aldol condensations are nucleophilic additions of an enolate ion, which are strong nucleophiles, to another C=O group under basic conditions. Protonation gives the aldol product. Once formed, the aldol product undergoes dehydration in base. Abstraction of an a proton gives an enolate that can expel an –OH ion to give a conjugated product. Dehydration is usually exothermic because it leads to a very stable conjugated product.

CHEMICAL EQUATION 3,4-dimethoxy benzaldehyde 1-indanone Aldol Product

MECHANISM Base removes a proton to form enolate ion. Resonance stabilized enolate forms carbanion, which attacks C=O of aldehyde Oxygen anion removes proton from water, releasing –OH. When new C-C bond forms, C=O p bond breaks, electrons stay with oxygen. Acidic a proton is removed by –OH. Electrons form new p bond.

TYPICAL ALDOL CONDENSATION A typical aldol condensation reaction is carried out in an organic solvent, such as ethanol, requiring eventual waste disposal. Isolation of the product requires a much more involved work up, not to mention the hazards to the experimenter and the environment due to waste disposal. Another challenge is that solution phase reaction is reversible, so low product yields may result.

GREEN CHEMISTRY CONCERNS One of the main themes of greener chemistry is to cut down on the use of solvent, and hence cut down on solvent waste. The best way to do this is simply not to use any solvent at all. Workup is generally easier since as the reaction proceeds, the product separates from the melt as a solid, making work up much less complicated. Another benefit is that unlike a solution phase reaction, the solid-state reaction is irreversible, resulting in higher chemical yields.

OVERVIEW Synthesize aldol product in test tube. Recrystallize solid in propanol/water to purify. Suction filter to isolate solid. Dry product in oven. Obtain product mass, calculate % yield, do melting point analysis.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE (Synthesis) Place aldehyde and ketone in large test tube. Crush solids with glass rod until liquefied. Add NaOH. Mix and scrape sides of test tube until pale green solid forms. Continue to react for 15 minutes at room temperature.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE (Purification and Product Isolation) Place test tube in a 90oC water bath. Add 90:10 PROPANOL/WATER and heat until solid dissolves. Suction filter. Transfer solid to PREWEIGHED WATCH GLASS AND PLACE IN OVEN 15 MINUTES to dry. Obtain final product mass and calculate % yield. Proceed to PRODUCT ANALYSIS (TLC, mp, IR).

Table 22.1 Theoretical yield (g) Determine limiting reagent first, then calculate theoretical yield. HINT: Don’t round too soon! Actual yield (g) % yield Melting range (oC) Start temperature dial on setting of 5. Back down one tic mark ~ 150oC and watch closely. Record Ti-Tf range. Compare to literature value to determine purity of product. Product Appearance Record the physical state and color of product.

Experimental Atom Economy (%) Table 22.4 Atom Economy (%) Calculate based on reactants ONLY! Review Experiment 13 for calculation. Experimental Atom Economy (%) “Eproduct” Cost Per Synthesis ($) Costs of stock bottles of compounds on p. 192. Remember to use reactants and catalyst in this calculation! Cost per Gram ($/g) CPS/actual yield (g)

3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde Table 22.2 Compound TLC Rf values Standard Sample 1-indanone Rf values are UNITLESS! Rf values are 2 decimal places ONLY! 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde Aldol Product

Product Analysis (IR)

aromatic C=C stretch (2) Table 22.3 Functional Group Base Values (cm-1) 1-Indanone 3,4-dimethoxy -benzaldehyde Aldol Product Frequency (cm-1) Frequency sp3 CH stretch 2800-3000 sp2 CH stretch 3000-3100 C=O stretch 1680-1740 C-O stretch 1000-1200 aromatic C=C stretch (2) 1500-1600 aldehyde CH stretch (2) 2700-2800

SAFETY CONCERNS Solid NaOH is very corrosive! Immediately flush skin with water if any gets on your skin! Propanol is very flammable! Use extreme caution during purification!

WASTE MANAGEMENT Place all liquid waste in container labeled “LIQUID ORGANIC WASTE”. Place all solid waste in container labeled “SOLID WASTE”. Place all used TLC capillaries and melting point capillaries in broken glass container, NOT TRASHCAN! Leave TLC chambers with lids off in your lab drawer.

CLEANING Clean all glassware with soap, water, and brush, followed by a rinse with wash acetone before returning to lab drawer. DO NOT return any glassware to lab drawer dirty or wet!

LABORATORY NOTEBOOK (Pre-lab) OBJECTIVE (Must clearly state…) What compounds will be made and how How the compounds will be purified How the purity of the product will be determined CHEMICAL EQUATION Include the chemical equation from the top of page 185. TABLE OF PHYSICAL DATA (Complete the following table using a site listed on WWW Links ONLY. Wikipedia is unacceptable!) REFERENCE TO PROCEDURE (Must include…) full title including edition and author names page numbers where actual procedure can be found Compound MW (g/mol) mp(oC) bp(oC) d (g/mL) HAZARDS 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde X 1-indanone Sodium hydroxide 1-propanol Diethyl ether hexane

LABORATORY NOTEBOOK (In-lab) DATA/CALCULATIONS Initial weights of 1-indanone and 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde used Weights of filter paper and watch glass Weight of watch glass + filter + product Final weight of dry product Physical state and color of product Theoretical yield calculation % yield calculation TLC diagram including all cm measurements Atom economy calculation Experimental atom economy calculation “Eproduct” calculation Cost per synthesis and cost per gram calculations EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE In paragraph form, BRIEFLY describe the procedure that you actually followed during the lab. Paragraph must be written in PAST TENSE, PASSIVE VOICE. Include any volumes or weights of chemicals used during the experiment. Include any mistakes, accidents or observations if applicable.