A Sample Of P Acetamidobenzoic Acid - 1354 Words

The objective of this procedure is to produce a sample of p-acetamidobenzoic acid from the oxidation of p-acetotoluidide with potassium permanganate. Procedure Part A- Preparation of p-Acetamidobenzoic Acid †¢ In a 250 mL Erlenmeyer Flask, 5 g (0.02 mol) of magnesium sulfate crystals were mixed with 1.9 g (0.013 mol) of p-acetotoluidide in 125 mL of de-ionized water. The resulting solution was placed on a hot plate and was steadily boiled until the solution reached 85 °C, or until the solution reached a gentle boil (it was emphasized that the solution should be heated slowly, in order to maximize the efficiency of the reaction). While this was occurring, a separate solution was prepared from 5.1 g (0.032 mol) of potassium permanganate and 20 mL of boiling water, which were placed in a separate 250 mL beaker, which was placed on a slowly heating hot plate (in order to keep the solution as warm as possible, but not warm enough that the water could evaporate). It was observed that this solution was characterized by a very distinct purple color, and a small amount of precipitate could be observed at the bottom of the beaker. Once the p-acetotoluidide solution had reached a gentle boi l, it was vigorously stirred with a stirring rod, and every so often (about every 5 minutes) a small portion of the potassium permanganate solution was added to the solution; at this point, it was emphasized that the potassium permanganate solution, or the oxidizing agent, should be added in small