Synthesis+of+Fragrant+Esters

Synthesis of Fragrant Esters Nina Perkkio and Katie Larsen

SYNTHESIS OF FRAGRANT ESTERS. Nina Perkkio and Katie Larsen The purpose of this lab was to synthesize oil of wintergreen from salicylic acid and methanol using different amounts of sulfuric acid to see if the acid affected the amount of ester produced. Mixtures of sulfuric acid, methanol, and salicylic acid were heated in a hot water bath and then were wafted to see if the oil of wintergreen was produced. Throughout several trials it was determined that the more sulfuric acid used the stronger the scent of wintergreen. These results show that it would be more effective to use more sulfuric acid when producing esters. Oil of wintergreen, also known as methyl salicylate, is used in several commercial products therefore it would be useful to find the most efficient way to make it. In addition to the wintergreen oil other scented esters can be produced such as orange. Like the wintergreen scent, by adding more sulfuric acid the orange also had a strong smell. 


 * Project Topic || Synthesis of Fragrant Esters ||
 * Chemistry Concept || Creation of fragrant ester when a catalyst is added to a solution. ||
 * Hypothesis || By testing varying amounts of a catalyst and heating for different lengths of time, more product will be found to be produced when more catalyst is added and there is a longer exposure to heat. ||
 * Journal Article || Wade, Peter A.; Rutkowsky, Susan A.; King, Daniel B. (2006). A Simple Combinatorial Experiment Based on Fischer Esterification. Journal of Chemical Education. Web. 9 Jan. 2012. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=17&sid=06bdea12-127e-4547-8eb7-f04566197bdf%40sessionmgr112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=21010108.

Hartel, Aaron M.; Hanna Jr., James M. J. (2009). Preparation of Oil of Wintergreen from Commercial Aspirin Tablets. Journal of Chemical Education. Web. 9 Jan. 2012. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=17&sid=06bdea12-127e-4547-8eb7-f04566197bdf%40sessionmgr112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=37151701.

William R. Wolowich, Carmen M. Hadley, Michael T. Kelley, Phillip D. Walson; and Marcel J. Casavant (2003).Plasma Salicylate from Methyl Salicylate Cream. Journal of Toxicology CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 355–358, 200 Compared to Oil of Wintergreen. Web. 4 March 2012. Retrieved from []. || 0.4 g Salicylic acid 0.5 g Methyl alcohol sulfuric acid ||
 * Lab Procedure || Free procedure from Eastern Iowa Community College. http://faculty.eicc.edu/kjohnson/labbook/physicalscience/esters.pdf ||
 * Apparatus and Chemicals Needed || Gas chromatograph
 * Safety Info: Chemicals/Reaction || Salicylic acid and methyl alcohol are both skin irritants and should be washed off immediately. ||

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