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Cinnamon Oil: An Alternate and Inexpensive Resource for Green Chemistry Experiments in Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Cinnamon Oil: An Alternate and Inexpensive Resource for Green Chemistry Experiments in Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Contributors
Associate Professor | Gordon College
Learning Objets
Summary
We report a series of experiments based upon cinnamon oil that were developed to provide a practical integration of green and sustainable chemistry concepts for the organic chemistry laboratory. Five experiments centering around cinnamaldehyde as a green, plant-based chemical were performed by undergraduate students in a second-year organic chemistry class. Cinnamon oil was obtained through hydrodistillation, and cinnamaldehyde was used to demonstrate the use of a secondary metabolite in chemistry laboratories. Subsequently, a reduction reaction, aldol reaction, and Schiff base formation were carried out.

Through these experiments, students are able to practice techniques such as thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, recrystallization, and measurement of melting points along with UV, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Microscale practices were employed in each of the reactions, and microscale column chromatography was used for purifications. The final experiment was an antimicrobial activity assessment of cinnamon oil and the cinnamaldehyde derivatives obtained from the previous experiments. Along with an interdisciplinary component, students were exposed to sunscreen chemistry and were led to consider the many uses of each product obtained. These experiments were based upon a single, inexpensive plant metabolite and biobased material to educate students about green chemistry and its practical applications in the undergraduate laboratory.

Cinnamon Oil: An Alternate and Inexpensive Resource for Green Chemistry Experiments in Organic Chemistry Laboratory. L. Abraham, L. Stachow, & D. H. Chao. J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97, 10, 3797-3805.

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Moderation state
Published
Object Type
Laboratory experiment
Journal articles
Audience
Introductory Undergraduate
Published on
Green Chemistry Principles
Waste Prevention
Atom Economy
Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses
Designing Safer Chemicals
Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries
Design for Energy Efficiency
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
Design for Degradation
Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Responsible Consumption and Production
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
Practice laboratory techniques: distillation, recrystallization, melting point determination, liquid−liquid extraction, filtration, TLC, column chromatography, UV, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy
• Safely and effectively perform synthetic organic reactions
• Apply green chemistry principles to hands-on laboratory
experience
Gain practical experience thinking about chemistry in an
interdisciplinary context
Common pedagogies covered
Hands-on learning
Time required (if applicable)
Three hours

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