Experiment 107

Objective

To prepare ethanal through the thermal decomposition of calcium ethanoate and calcium formate.

Introduction

Ethanal, also known as acetaldehyde, can be synthesized by heating calcium ethanoate and calcium formate. When these compounds are heated, ethanal and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) are produced.

Reaction:

(CH3COO)2​Ca + (HCOO)2​Ca → CH3​CHO + CaCO​3

Materials

Chemicals

●      Calcium formate

●      Calcium ethanoate

Apparatus

●      Test tube

●      Test tube holder

●      Bunsen burner

●      Thermometer

Reagents

●      3.695 g of calcium ethanoate

●      3.695 g of calcium formate

Procedure

1.    Place the calcium ethanoate and calcium formate mixture in a test tube.

2.    Heat the sample using the Bunsen burner.

3.    Use the thermometer to monitor the temperature.

4.    Stop heating once a distinct smell of ethanal is detected.

Observation

The production of ethanal is indicated by a distinct smell.

Questions

1.    What is ethanal?

2.    How is ethanal produced in this reaction?

3.    What are some common uses of ethanal?