Beatrice Sophia C.

Parma

August 17, 2015

CH 22.2 D

Locker No. 15G

Purification of Benzoic Acid

I.

Concept
Sodium Benzoic Acid is used as a preservation agent mainly in carbonated drinks

such as soft drinks. When digested, benzoic acid is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and
is conjugated with the amino acid glycine which metabolizes it. These all take place in the
liver. Benzoic acid is converted into benzoyl CoA which is excreted from the body in the
form of urine. The experiment aims to: 1) purify the contaminated benzoic acid using
decolorizing charcoal and 2) recrystallize the benzoic acid.
II.

MSDS
Reagent

Benzoic Acid

Description
Physical State: Solid

Safety Precautions
Skin and eye irritant; flush

Molecular Weight:

with water if it comes in

122.12g/mol

contact

Very slightly soluble in

Decolorizing Charcoal

cold water.
Flammable

Skin and eye irritant; flush

Physical State: Solid

with water if it comes in

Molecular Weight:

contact

12.01g/mol
Melting Point: 3500 C
Insoluble in cold water,
hot water

III.

Flow Chart

Prepare Erlenmeyer
Flask with funnel in an
oven for use in gravity
filtration

Weigh 2.0g
contaminated benzoic
acid to an Erlenmayer
Flask

Add 2-3 boiling chips

and 60 mL distilled
water. Heat to a boil
until dissolved.

Remove from boiler and

add 15 mL cold water.
Add 1 spatula full of
charcoal

When filtrate is clear,

cool and add 2-3 boiling
chips and boil until
volume is 50-60 mL

If filtrate is still blue,

treat the solution with
more decolorizing
charcoal.

Filter hot solution in

fluted filter paper in a
warmed funnel and
flask.

Boil for 1-2 minutes,

watch out for froth.

Cool the solution to

room temperature. Wait
for it to crystallize. Chill
in ice bath

Harvest crystals using

suction filtration. Air dry
crystals

Determine the percent

recovery and melting
point using the melting
point apparatus

Put crystals in vials and

label. Do NOT move
container while
crystallizing. Compare
appearance of benzoic
acid and crystals.

IV.

Post-Lab Questions

1. Explain the difference between crystals and precipitates. Was the acetanilide
obtained in the experiment crystals or precipitates?
2. How would the amount of charcoal used affect the recovery of the experiment?
3. How would the temperature of the water used to wash the crystals during suction
filtration affect the recovery of the experiment?
4. What factors could affect the melting point of the benzoic acid obtained in the
experiment?
5. The solubility of benzoic acid at 100 C is 6.8 g/100 mL while its solubility at 0 C is 0.17
g/100 mL. What would be the maximum theoretical % recovery from the
recrystallization of 2.0 g benzoic acid in 60 mL water?
References:
Guidote AM, del Rosario DR, Abuzo AL. Experiencing Organic Chemistry. Quezon City:
Office of Research and Publications, Ateneo de Manila University; 2005.
Most CF. Experimental Organic Chemistry. USA: Wiley & Sons; 1988.

Post-Lab Questions
1. Explain the difference between crystals and precipitates. Was the acetanilide
obtained in the experiment crystals or precipitates?
2. How would the amount of charcoal used affect the recovery of the experiment?
3. How would the temperature of the water used to wash the crystals during suction
filtration affect the recovery of the experiment?
4. What factors could affect the melting point of the benzoic acid obtained in the
experiment?
5. The solubility of benzoic acid at 100 C is 6.8 g/100 mL while its solubility at 0 C is 0.17
g/100 mL. What would be the maximum theoretical %recovery from the
recrystallization of 2.0 g benzoic acid in 60 mL water?