cis-5-Norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic Anhydride was prepared using a mixture of maleic anhydride, ethyl acetate, freshly distilled anhydrous cyclopentadiene, and petroleum ether through the Diels-Alder reaction. By repeatedly heating and cooling the solution in succession with one another, crystals will be formed, dissolved, and reformed again. The cis-5-Norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic Anhydride crystals were further analyzed to show purity of the experimental product by examining the shape and size of the crystals, along with the melting point of the crystals. From this experiment, 14.436% of cis-5-Norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic Anhydride crystals were recovered, with a melting point measured at 163-165C. The preparation of cis-5-Norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic Anhydride was completed due to the claims of its limiting component, cyclopentadiene, having potential toxic effects from repeated inhalation of the vapors.
Cyclopentadiene, the limiting reagent of this experiment, is thought to have toxic effects on organs when repeatedly inhaled over an extended period of time. Some of the effects include pulmonary irritation, increased weight of the liver, and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Through experimentation, increased weight of the liver and decreased serum…show more content… The Erlenmeyer flask was swirled until the reaction had subsided and the flask was no longer hot. Colorless crystals began to form. To initiate the formation of more crystals, the bottom of the Erlenmeyer flask was scratched allowing the crystals to form on the bottom of the flask. The solution was placed back onto the hot plate until all of the crystals were dissolved. The solution was cooled to room temperature, and then placed into an ice bath allowing recrystallization to occur. The solution went through vacuum filtration as shown in Figure
