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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: lambda on November 25, 2014, 01:06:07 AM

Title: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: lambda on November 25, 2014, 01:06:07 AM
How exactly would you remove residual water or methanol from a product that's an oily residue? My next reaction is pretty water sensitive and I'm not sure how exactly to remove any residual water. I tried looking into dissolving in benzene or toluene to form an azeotrope and rotovapping it off but the product doesn't dissolve in benzene or toluene so I don't think that's effective. The oil just sticks to the sides of the flask and doesn't really interact much. Not sure if trying the same thing with chloroform would work (since product does seem to be soluble in DCM).
Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: curiouscat on November 25, 2014, 02:38:24 AM
CaCl2?
Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: orgopete on November 25, 2014, 09:58:54 AM
I am suspicious about this description. I don't think you have a wet but otherwise pure product. I think you need to characterize your product further. I think the result will be that it needs purification.
Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: lambda on November 25, 2014, 11:01:36 AM
How would you use CaCl2? I know that can be used to dry solvents but I'm not sure how I would remove it if I were add it to the oily residue.

Also, why do you think it needs further purification? This compound was column purified and characterized by NMR. There was nothing in the NMR spectra that screamed "impure" to me, but I could be wrong. I was under the impression that some compounds are just oils rather than solid powders/crystals.

Thanks for your help guys.
Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: curiouscat on November 25, 2014, 01:00:38 PM
I'd try adding an excess of high-purity CaCl2. It's pretty good at mopping up both dissolved & suspended moisture & usually will form a separate aqueous layer. You can filter out the solids & then  settle, phase separate & drain.

Use a lab centrifuge if needed.



Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: orgopete on November 27, 2014, 12:32:01 AM

Also, why do you think it needs further purification? This compound was column purified and characterized by NMR. There was nothing in the NMR spectra that screamed "impure" to me, but I could be wrong. I was under the impression that some compounds are just oils rather than solid powders/crystals.


Before chromatography was used for purification, samples were recrystallized. I've had samples forming olis while forming crystals. I always took that as a sign my sample was not pure. The more pure it was, the less likely that would happen.
Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: zsinger on November 30, 2014, 03:36:03 PM
I am also suspicious.....what "oil".  Sounds like a safrole question to me.

 
Title: Re: Removing residual water/methanol from an oily residue
Post by: Arkcon on November 30, 2014, 04:31:22 PM
I am also suspicious.....what "oil".  Sounds like a safrole question to me.

Many reactions oil out when impure.  I don't see anything specific to illicit synthesis in this thread so far.  Well, except for your post.  ::)  We don't really have to worry about things, until we have to worry about things. :D