A Sublimation Experiment with Unknowns

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 19 (2014) pp 104-105

A Sublimation Experiment with Unknowns

Kate J. Graham*, Abdimahad S. Nur and Chris P. Schaller

Chemistry Department, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University, 37 South College Avenue, St. Joseph, MN 56374, kgraham@csbsju.edu
Received January 16. Accepted January 27, 2014.

Published: 28 March 2014

Abstract. A simple and straightforward sublimation laboratory experiment for the purification of an unknown is presented. This introductory laboratory experiment involves a micro-scale sublimation process. Students purify an unknown from a mixture, determine the identity of their compound with IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and comment on the purity of the final sample. The use of unknowns increases students’ individual responsibility and prevents using a partner’s data analysis.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; organic chemistry; general chemistry; sublimation

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: kgraham@csbsju.edu )

Article in PDF format (39 KB) HTML format

Supporting Materials:

Instructor preparation notes with CAS numbers for chemicals, student handouts, experimental procedures with images, and a grading rubric (1.3 MB).