Melting Point Summary

The table below has been edited by Dr Goosen to be commensurate with your practical.

Table 6.2: Procedural summary for obtaining a melting point.

 Load the two samples into

separate capillary tubes by
jabbing the open end of the
tube into the solid in the vial
provided.
 Note the sample numbers.
 Close the vials.
 With closed end down, drop
the tubes down a long
hollow tube so that it hits
the benchtop and packs the
sample into the closed end
of the tube.
 Load the sample to a height
of 2-3mm.
 Place BOTH samples
into the apparatus.
 Start heating.  Label the brown envelope on
 Heat at a medium rate your bench as in the example
to 130oC. Then above.
heat very slowly  Put both melting point tubes in
 (2 C every minute).
o
the brown envelope together
 Write down the with your tlc plate.
temperature ranges of  Leave the envelope on your
each compound. bench at the end of the
 Let the instrument cool practical.
to 130oC to be ready
for the next student.

Melting Points of unknown compounds:

Acetyl Salicylic acid = 135o, Paracetamol = 169o, Salicylic acid 159oC
Contributor: Lisa Nichols (Butte Community College). Organic Chemistry Laboratory Techniques is licensed
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