Preparation of Iodoform

Preparation of Iodoform

In this method we will be converting a ketone like acetone to Iodoform using solid iodine and potassium carbonate..
The chemical reaction can be represented as shown below.

Iodoform

 

 

Chemicals Needed:

Acetone about 3.5 mL
Powdered Iodine about 5 grams
Solid Potassium Carbonate about 5 grams

Procedure:

Dissolve the potassium carbonate in 20 ml of water in a 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask. About 3.5 mL of acetone is added to this solution. Add the powdered iodine into the Erlenmeyer flask, make sure to stir the mixture. Place this mixture in a warm water bath at a temperature of 70 to 80 degree Celsius for about 15 minutes. When the solution is cooled, yellow crystals of iodoform is obtained. Filter the solution, wash the iodoform with water and recrystallize from alcohol and dry the idodform crystals.

The approximate yield for this reaction will be about 1.15 grams of iodoform. The melting point of iodoform is 119 degrees Celsius.

Author of Procedure: © Stan Vincent All rights reserved.

Iodoform
iodoform

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