Some Organic chemistry 101


How to make ethyl palpitate

Previous attempts to make ethyl palpitate had resulted in rather sporadic success;
and a good yield once obtained could not be duplicated on successive evenings, and so on.
Accordingly, it was decided to more closely investigate the optimum conditions for favorable reactions.

One of the most important factors was found to be the purity of the ethyl chosen
for the work. Some authorities claimed that very impure ethyl alone could be counted
on for success, while others said that a hitherto unreacted ethyl was best. Our extensive
investigations have shown that both of these extremes should be avoided. Reaction of
the highly impure material often occurs with considerable violence, explosive at times,
with great attendant danger of damage to equipment and operators. On the other hand,
overly pure ethyl shows a naturally unreactive tendency, forming products such as
ethyl hesitate, which tendency cannot be overcome even by the most skillful operator.
The recommendation is therefore made that samples of average purity be chosen for the
best results. A good criterion of reactivity is whether the compound, ethyl osculate,
can be made easily.


As regards solvents and catalysts, alcoholic solutions are generally most satisfactory,
although they add somewhat to the cost of preparation. The alcohol concentration
should be very carefully controlled, as the saturated form of ethyl is useless. As a
general rule, light should be avoided as it has a definite inhibitory effect in most cases.

One word regarding conditions of reaction. It is highly important that no other member
of the ethyl family be present.

Chemically, the proper course of reaction is as follows: As gentle warming is applied
(which can be accomplished by several means, an open fireplace has much to recommend it)
the formation of the following products is successfully observed: ethyl reciprocate,
ethyl agitate, and in some cases ethyl vibrate, and finally (if the heating has been carried
out at exactly the correct rate), the desired product, ethyl palpitate. Under no circumstances
should the heating be attempted too rapidly, as undesireable side reactions can be set in,
the mildest of which leads to ethyl remonstrate, more usually to the sudden appearance
of ethyl refrigerate, and in certain extreme cases (which usually make headlines) to
ethyl assassinate.

As a final observation, the authors would like to point out that with certain difficult reactions
of this type, the catalytic influence of gold, silver or precious stones will insure good results.

PRECAUTIONARY NOTICE

It is well to mention (although probably known already to most operators) that the equipment
used in the final reaction must be encased in an impermeable material (latex/neoprene rubber is recommended),
thus avoiding the annoying formation of ethyl pregnate, which, if allowed to stand for several months,
will in some unavoidable cases, convert to ethyl propagate.

Please report the yield you obtain (and also which ethyl you used) to CHEM 13 NEWS so that we
can check the experiment.

Try isopropyl nauseate. Reaction becomes reversibly diplothermic immediately upon insertion. Use of negative polarity catalyzes hypothalamic encrustation, Use only bovine serum albumin purified from fresh gefilte fish sperm.

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