Sciencemadness Discussion Board

How do I make cinnamic acid from cinnamon?

Jmap science - 28-10-2013 at 17:05

I just isolated some cinnamon and I want to make some
cinnamic acid. Any tips on how? Im using it to make esters. Also If any one knows how to make A cinnamon based alcohol that would be great!



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Mailinmypocket - 28-10-2013 at 17:08

You isolated cinnamon? Do you mean you steam distilled cinnamon oil from cinnamon itself?

Jmap science - 29-10-2013 at 02:31

i used a reflux and now I have pure cinnamon extract.

Paddywhacker - 29-10-2013 at 16:58

Quote: Originally posted by Jmap science  
i used a reflux and now I have pure cinnamon extract.


You have a sort of cinnamon tea?
Or you have a powder?
Or you have an oil?

Getting from cinnamon to cinnamic acid will require you to prepare cinnamon oil as an intermediate, and that is a whole lot of procedure just by itself. Look for advice about preparing other essential oils. Most likely by steam distillation.

If you want to skip this step then purchase some cinnamon oil and ask about that.

Jmap science - 30-10-2013 at 13:17

I just put some cinnamon sticks in ethanol and let them soak for a few weeks Im going to evaporate to get a powder.

DraconicAcid - 30-10-2013 at 14:19

I'm not sure what all will be in cinnamon oil, but I suspect cinnamaldehyde and possibly cinnamic esters might be in there. Cinnamaldehyde will oxidize to the acid all by itself on prolonged exposure to air, IIRC. I'd say to let your extract evaporate, and then extract the crud that is produced with sodium hydroxide solution- this will dissolve the acid, as well as hydrolyzing any esters to the free acids. The acidify to get the acid.

Jmap science - 30-10-2013 at 15:44

Thanks!

Jmap science - 4-11-2013 at 16:26

I did it and it worked well!

Zephyr - 10-11-2013 at 22:14

I would like to reproduce this procedure, could you post pictures?

Jmap science - 13-12-2013 at 18:58

Just add the NAOH and you will get a precipitate!

Jmap science - 13-12-2013 at 19:14

Then acidify it.

Nicodem - 14-12-2013 at 02:57

Jmap science, you were already warned. Stop it with this trollish behavior.

Mailinmypocket - 14-12-2013 at 06:49

Quote: Originally posted by Paddywhacker  
Quote: Originally posted by Jmap science  
i used a reflux and now I have pure cinnamon extract.


You have a sort of cinnamon tea?
Or you have a powder?
Or you have an oil?

Getting from cinnamon to cinnamic acid will require you to prepare cinnamon oil as an intermediate, and that is a whole lot of procedure just by itself. Look for advice about preparing other essential oils. Most likely by steam distillation.

If you want to skip this step then purchase some cinnamon oil and ask about that.


If there is interest on steam distillation... Here is a quick write up with pictures I did a few months back, using caraway. May be of assistance to somebody.

http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=10766

nannah - 20-1-2014 at 17:45

If you steam distillate cinnamon, the spice you use in cooking. How much powder do i need to yield 100 ml, approx?

Hawkguy - 11-12-2015 at 18:49

Alright so I'll be doing this to make Toluene from the Cinnimic Acid by fermentation with yeast. I have some experience with steam distillation, so getting the oil of cinnamon shouldn't be a problem. Then I'll add Sodium Hydroxide solution until neutral, and cool. I'll collect the precipitate and filtrate, and identify which is the Sodium Cinnimate. After Acidifying with Sulfuric Acid, I guess I could distill the Cinnamic acid, and collect it. Alriiiiiiiighty.

Ozone - 11-12-2015 at 21:31

As I have seen this work--once, I'm interested to hear about what you get. Remember--the yeast need something to eat, too. Anyway, I'd encourage you to follow it by smell. Toluene is unmistakable.

O3