Event Title

Identification of a Reaction By-Product in the Synthesis of Tetradecylchloride.

Presenter Information

Chad Kratochwill, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

28-4-2009 10:00 AM

End Date

28-4-2009 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Chemistry and Geology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Brian Groh

Mentor's Department

Chemistry and Geology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

In the synthesis of tetradecyl chloride from tetradecyl alcohol and phosphorus pentachloride, an undesired white precipitate was observed to form with the product. After purification of the product and isolation of the by-product these materials we characterized by infrared and NMR spectroscopy. ¹ H and ³¹ P NMR as well as ³¹ P decoupled proton spectra were obtained. These data proved that some protons were spin-coupled to a phosphorus nucleus in the by-product sample. From these data we were able to deduce that the by-product is possibly an amphipathic salt containing phosphorus and a tetradecyl alkyl group. The by-product structure and supporting spectral data will be presented.