The synthesis of phenytoin
In today’s post, I will describe the synthesis of phenytoin, a broadly prescribed anticonvulsant drug categorized as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization.
The synthesis of Benzil
In today’s post, I will describe the oxidation of benzoin to benzil using nitric acid. This reaction is a classic in organic synthesis and allows for the preparation of benzil in good yields.
Benzoin Condensation revisited
In today’s post, I will revisit the thiamine-catalyzed synthesis of benzoin from benzaldehyde, which I already presented in my previous post. I will describe some variation of the procedure I presented an the improvements in yield I was able to achieve.
Benzoin Condensation with Thiamine
In this post, I will present the synthesis of Benzoin through a thiamine-catalyzed condensation reaction between two benzaldehyde molecules.
5-iodovanillin synthesis
In this post, I will present the preparation of 5-iodovanillin by electrophilic aromatic substitution of vanillin with iodine.
Dibenzalacetone synthesis
In this post, I will present the synthesis of dibenzalacetone from the double aldol condensation between benzaldehyde and acetone.
Phthalimide synthesis
In this post, I will describe the preparation of phthalimide from the reaction of phthalic anhydride with urea.
Ethyl Formate Synthesis
In the present post, I will describe the preparation of ethyl formate by the Fischer esterification reaction between ethanol and formic acid in the presence of sulphuric acid.
Vanillin metil-ethyl-ketone aldol condensation
In the present post, I will describe the aldol condensation reaction between vanillin and methyl-ethyl-ketone yielding the kinetic condensation product (E)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)pent-1-en-3-one.
Gamma spectroscopy of a Radium clock
In this post, I will discuss a gamma spectroscopy experiment conducted on a faintly radioactive clock apparently decorated with a glow-in-the-dark radium-containing paint. I will discuss the idea at the foundation of gamma spectroscopy and briefly present the collected data and results.