Aim:

Phenacetin synthesis from Paracetamol (Para-acetamidophenol)

Experimental method:

Around 0.6g of dried sodium metal is cut into small pieces using a knife and a tile and weighed accurately. This is done by tarring the balance after putting the weighing boat on the balance and then adding small dried pieces of sodium until it reaches 0.6g.

The mixture is vigorously dissolved and as a result of the exothermic reaction, it is required to be left to cool. Once cooled, 3.8g of Para-acetamidophenol and 3cm3 ethyl iodide are added and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is left on a reflux for 20-25 minutes after it starts to boil. During this process the colour of the solution is recorded from time to time. The colour was changed from clear to orange.

40cm3 of water is added to the solution and is left on an ice bath to cool. Whilst cooled, crystals start to appear constantly as time goes by. Once recrystalized fully, the product is vacuumed on a Buchner flask where the water is separated from the crystals. The crystalized product remains in the conical flask are washed into the filter with distilled water. The product is kept in the filter for a while making sure the vacuum is applied to remove the excess water.  

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The resulting white crystals are then mixed with a small amount of aqueous methylated spirit (1:1 volume) and heated to be dissolved completely. It is then left to recrystalise slowly using an ice bath. The solution and crystals are then filtered in a Buchner flask and the remaining crystals in the filter paper is removed and heated in a vacuum oven to be dried at 40° C.

The resulting crystals (Phenacetin drug):

1. Are weighed to calculated the percentage yield

2. A sample is taken and put in an Infrared spectrum to determine the structure of the product

3. A ...

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