After my solution stirred overnight, I came to the lab today to find exactly what I was hoping - a pretty clear solution with everything dissolved. The goal for today was to separate the organic layer from the aqueous layer using acid/base extraction techniques.
The organic layer was first extracted from the aqueous with 50 mL of sodium bicarbonate, being careful to regularly vent the separation funnel. In the same manner, the organic layer was extracted with 50 mL of sodium bisulfite and then 50 mL of brine.
The organic layer was extracted multiple times to ensure that only the wanted product, the monomer, was left behind. No leftover mCPBA is wanted in the organic layer, so multiple extractions ensure the removal of any excess. There also shouldn't be any water in the solution. 2.99 grams of sodium sulfate, a drying agent, was added to the organic layer to remove any water droplets that may have made it through the separation of the layers.
The flask containing the organic layer was then covered with aluminum foil and left in the lab until the next time I get down to Charleston.
In reflection of today's work, I was excited to use acid base extraction techniques. This is something I spent a lot of time working on last semester with Dr. Bass. It was one of the first labs we performed and the first of many organic chemistry induced mental breakdowns of the semester! After practicing conceptual problems and having Dr. Bass endlessly repeat the same concepts to me over and over, it finally clicked. After overcoming this first obstacle in the course, I realized that if I had the dedication to study the material, no matter how hard it seemed, I would eventually master it and be successful in organic.
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