NOP - Sustainability in the organic chemistry lab course

; Side reactions

Isolation of trimyristin from nutmeg

Synthesis instructions as PDF file for printing

Reaction

For the set up of the extraction apparatus in the microwave see article "Microwave: Extraction". In each of the inner glass vials of the apparatus, 3-5 g nutmeg powder

, a magnetic stir bar and 40 mL ethanol are placed. A further 40 mL ethanol are filled in between the inner vials and the outer wall. Setting parameters: The program Easywave® is opened on the PC and the following parameters are set:

t₁ (time to reach the set temperature):	5 min
t₂ (time at set temperature):	10 min
T₀:	room temperature
T₁ (set temperature):	120 °C
P₁ (power in step 1):	700 W
P₂ (power in step 2):	500 W

Work up

The recovered ethanol extracted is stored overnight in the refrigerator. The precipitated trimyristin is filtered using a funnel or a small frit and then dried. If the crystals are not colourless, the crude product is recrystallized from ethanol.

Crude product yield: 0.6-0.9 g; melting point 54-55 °C; Colourless, very fine crystals

The filtrate is concentrated on the rotary evaporator, leaving a light brown oil. The following fatty acids can be identified in this oil, after transesterification with methanolic potassium hydroxide: Capronic acid, tridecanoic acid, myristin acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitin acid, cis-10-heptadecenoic acid and oleic acid.

Duration of the experiment

Without recrystallization 1 hour

Where can I stop the experiment?

Almost at any time, as long as the solvent is taken out of the reaction vials whilst still hot

Recycling

The evaporated ethanol is collected and redistilled

Suggestions for waste disposal

Waste	Disposal
residue from mother liquor	domestic waste
residue from extraction	domestic waste