Abstract The structure of a major component of star anise oil was derived by analyzing its IR spectroscopy melting point of after oxidation and purification. From the evidence obtained, it was concluded that the exact structured should be p-methoxybenzoic acid. Introduction The purpose of this experiment is to determine the structure of the major component of star anise oil. It is already known that this component has a molecular formula C10H12O. This molecular formula equates to an IHD of 5. It is evident, by calculating the IHD, that this compound contains a benzene ring. By heating anisene with hydroiodic acid the following reaction occurs: [rxn 1] The resultant of a phenol indicates that anisene is, in fact, an aryl methyl ether with the formula C9H9OCH3. Since all these facts have been established about the structure of anisene, what is to be determined from this experiment is the structure of the unsaturated side chain and its location. In order to do this, anisene will first be oxidized with KMNO4 so as to then identify the oxidation product and establish the positioning of the side chain. The reaction is as follows: Finally purification of the structure of the unknown oxidized component, its structure shall be determined by obtaining the melting point and by means of IR spectroscopy of the original substance. Experimental The experiment was carried out following the procedure described in Experiment 24 of the assigned lab book (Lehman 188-195) with some deviation: When it was time to use the condenser the first time around, the tubes for the water to circulate were not attached, causing the solvent to evaporate. Consequently, more solvent had to be added and the experiment continued normally. Calculations The weight of the total final product is equal to the weight of the watch glass and the final product minus the weight of the watch glass. Wt of Final product = (wt of watch glass and product)-(wt
References: 1. Lehman, John Multiscale Operational Organic Chemistry, Prentice Hall, 20022. ChemIndustry.com---http://www.chemindustry