Today I continued the oxidation of cyclohexanone. I came back to the lab and the solution that was left to stir overnight was completely dissolved. The solution was transferred to a 1000 mL Erlenmeyer flask (for reasons that will become clear later in this post).
Dichloromethane was used to transfer any remaining product from the RBF to the Erlenmeyer flask. After rinsing, the tots amount of dichloromethane in the flask was approximately 100 mL. 50 mL of water was then added to the flask.
The next step was to add 1.3 equivalents (relative to the mCPBA) of sodium bisulfite, followed by 1.3 equivalents of sodium bicarbonate. I calculated the amount of each chemical to be massed out through stoichiometry, resulting in 5.63 grams of sodium bisulfite and 4.55 grams of sodium bicarbonate.
The sodium bisulfite was added to he solution first in small scoops. The reason why the solution was transferred from the RBF to the Erlenmeyer flask now become clear: when the sodium bisulfite came Ito contact with the solution in the flask, it created a bubbly, frothy layer on top of the solution. The solution was transferred to ensure nothing spilled out over the top of the flask and out onto the counter.
After all of the sodium bisulfite was added, the sodium bicarbonate was added in the same manner. The same frothy layer appeared when it was added. After all of the sodium bicarbonate was added, the solution actually became clear. This is when we knew it was time to cover the flask with foil and allow it to stir overnight to ensure everything reacts completely.
So far my experience has been great at College of Charleston. Everyone has been so welcoming and very helpful for anything I might need. I feel so blessed to have found such a great group of people to work with this January. Right now I feel like I'm being a little clumsy in lab, but hopefully this is just nerves and will go away soon.
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