Sciencemadness Discussion Board

why heat after reflux

andre178 - 13-2-2011 at 17:28

I have a harder time deciphering older publications, and I don't want to mess up the reaction so I have a syntax problem in the below step of synthesis.


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I am performing a practice run using non-tritiated benzoic acid. The step itself is simple, adding thionyl chloride to benzoic acid. Reflux for 30 minutes / 80 deg Celsius.

What I don't understand is the 2nd part, heat it at 110 deg for 60 more minutes. Do I take off the water condenser once I finish refluxing and let some of the thionyl chloride evaporate?

The reflux 80 degrees should be the liquid or the vapor (like in sep distillation)? Since I'm working with such small amounts (150 microliters) how can I find the correct temperature?

I hope these questions are not too stupid.

starch - 13-2-2011 at 23:32

dude read it, it makes perfect sence :)

reflux it for 30 at 80c, then turn the temp up to 110c for a further 60 mins.

yes still in reflux aparatus


matei - 14-2-2011 at 07:16

In the second step you have to replace the reflux condenser with a distillation head and distill off the excess of thionyl chloride. This is the standard procedure for making acid chlorides.
EDIT: I assumed you were going to scale up that procedure. If you use just 0.15 mL of thionyl chloride you can just evaporate the excess.

[Edited on 14-2-2011 by matei]

andre178 - 15-2-2011 at 09:47

thanks matei

unionised - 15-2-2011 at 12:17

If you are going to do that with radiolabelled material it is probably better to use a condenser and catch the by-products I know that shouldn't have any activity, but I'd not want to bet on it. Also, I think that one of the by-product will be tritiated HCl (TCl?)which would need proper disposal.