Procedure:

• Reaction- Reflux
  • Use 100ml round bottom flask, and water condenser.
  • Combine 9.7g of salicylic acid and 25ml of methanol in flask.
  • Slowly add sulfuric acid with swirling
  • Add Boiling Chips
  • Reflux for 1 hour
• Extraction
  • Transfer the reaction mixture to a 125 ml separatory funnel.
  • Extract with two 25ml portions of methylene chloride and save.
  • Discard waste in appropriate container.
  • Return the saved methylene chloride to the separatory funnel.
  • Wash with one 25 ml portion of water; Save organic layer and dispose of aqueous layer in appropriate waste container.
  • Wash with two 25ml portions of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate as in the previous step.
• Drying
  • Transfer the crude ester to a clean 125 ml erlenmyer flask.
  • Add ~2.0g of anhydrous sodium sulfate.
  • Cover or cork and let stand 15-20 minutes.
  • Using a funnel decant into your distillation flask stopper until ready to distill.
• Distillation
  • Simple distillation will be performed on the dry product