Student Comments 2008: Synthesis of a Tertiary Alcohol Using a Pre-Made Grignard Reagent

Adjust the rate of the stirring plate so that it doesn't mix the contents of the flask too fast. If you mix it too fast, you won't get as much product and you won't get that nice white foam on top of the pink. --Megan Wasz 

When trying to acidify your product becareful the sulfuric acid is diluted to 10 % anything more will ruin your product and and cause a tiny explosion.--Kendall Moore

Another tidbit about acidifying... the product can be considered acidified as soon as you get any part of the mixture to turn the litmus paper "acidic" (reddish). I must have had some kind of impurities because I kept testing the solution (after more than 100-150 drops were added) and some parts were still "basic". This really doesn't make too much difference to your product but it was a waste of time because that was not necessary (and as Kendall said, could be dangerous!). -Becki H.

When adding the mixture of benzophenone and ether into the round bottom flask, make sure to do a couple drops at a time over the 30 minute period.  The first time performing the experiment, we added the mixture at a not so constant rate (10 or so drops one time, 3 drops the next).  The time it was added also was not constant (3 minute duration one time, 5 the next).  The second time we performed the experiment, we added the mixture at a more constant rate (3 drops every 2 minutes).  This keeps the mixing and the whole experiment more constant.  --Melanie Bonifacio

Add the chemicals (benzophenone and ether) dropwise and slowly to make sure that you dont add to much in the 30 minute period.  This will help the reaction to be carried out properly and the mixing to be precise and constant! Tamara Pike