Turning paint thinner into cherry soda

NileRed
1 Jun 202345:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this fascinating and complex video, the creator embarks on a unique challenge: transforming paint thinner into cherry soda. The journey begins with the extraction of toluene from paint thinner, a solvent similar to benzaldehyde, a common cherry flavoring agent. Despite the initial daunting nature of the task and the toxic nature of toluene, the creator uses chemistry to convert it into a cherry flavor. The process involves multiple steps, including distillation, the Étard reaction, and the use of various solvents and reagents. The video highlights the meticulous nature of the experiment, the creator's perseverance through failed attempts, and the eventual success in producing a pure form of benzaldehyde. The final product is then used to create a cherry soda that surprisingly tastes close to store-bought versions, marking a successful conclusion to an ambitious project. The video also touches on the creator's personal challenges with content production and upcoming plans, offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes aspects of their work.

Takeaways
  • 🧪 The video is sponsored by Opera and features an experiment to transform paint thinner into cherry soda.
  • 🧬 Paint thinners often contain toluene, which is chemically similar to benzaldehyde, a common cherry flavoring agent.
  • 🔍 The process involves a chemical reaction using chromyl chloride, a toxic and volatile chemical, to convert toluene into benzaldehyde.
  • 🧴 The initial attempt to extract benzaldehyde using DCM (Dichloromethane) faced challenges, including a failed reaction and safety concerns.
  • 🔥 The second attempt used carbon tetrachloride as a solvent, which was originally used in the Étard reaction over a century ago.
  • ⚗️ The Étard complex, formed during the reaction, was isolated and purified to increase the yield of benzaldehyde.
  • 🔍 The purity of the final product was confirmed using H-NMR (Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy.
  • 🍒 Despite the challenges, the final product was used to create a cherry soda that was surprisingly similar to store-bought versions.
  • 🎥 The video also discusses the creator's plans to increase content production and work on larger projects, with thanks to patrons and sponsors.
  • 🌐 Opera is praised for its user-friendly interface, integrated AI tools, and additional features like a sidebar and customizable wallpapers.
  • 📚 The video includes a special pinboard for the cherry soda project and encourages viewers to support the creator on Patreon for early access to content.
Q & A
  • What was the main goal of the experiment described in the transcript?

    -The main goal of the experiment was to convert paint thinner, which contains toluene, into cherry soda by using chemistry and science to transform the toluene into benzaldehyde, a chemical commonly used for its cherry flavor.

  • Why is toluene similar to benzaldehyde?

    -Toluene is similar to benzaldehyde because their chemical structures are almost identical, with the only difference being a small extra part in benzaldehyde. This small change is responsible for the shift in taste from gasoline to fruit.

  • What was the solvent used in the initial attempt of the conversion process?

    -The initial attempt used dichloromethane (DCM) as the solvent for the conversion process.

  • Why was the Étard reaction chosen for the conversion process?

    -The Étard reaction was chosen because it seemed to be the easiest method and used chromyl chloride, a chemical that the experimenter had experience with and had previously prepared.

  • What was the issue with the first attempt at creating cherry soda?

    -The issue with the first attempt was that instead of producing benzaldehyde, the process resulted in benzyl chloride, a chemical used as a tear gas during World War I, which did not have the desired cherry flavor.

  • What was the second major idea proposed to improve the experiment after two years?

    -The second major idea was to isolate the Étard complex, which was thought to give a purer result, despite its potential explosive nature.

  • Why was carbon tetrachloride chosen for the second attempt?

    -Carbon tetrachloride was chosen for the second attempt because it was the solvent originally used when the Étard reaction was discovered over 100 years ago and was believed to potentially yield better results than DCM.

  • What was the final product obtained after the multi-step purification process?

    -The final product obtained was a pure benzaldehyde, which was confirmed through an H-NMR test and was used to create a cherry soda.

  • How did the experimenter ensure the benzaldehyde was pure enough to consume?

    -The experimenter used an H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) machine to test a small sample of the benzaldehyde, which confirmed its purity.

  • What was the final taste of the cherry soda made from the purified benzaldehyde?

    -The final taste of the cherry soda was surprisingly good, with the experimenter rating it an eight out of ten, stating it was close to regular cherry soda in taste.

  • Why did the experimenter decide to add sodium carbonate during the desperate attempt to purify benzaldehyde?

    -The experimenter added sodium carbonate to make the solution more basic instead of acidic, hoping that this change in pH would somehow improve the extraction and purification of benzaldehyde.

  • How did the experimenter ensure that the benzaldehyde was completely separated from other components during the purification process?

    -The experimenter used sodium bisulfite to form a benzaldehyde sodium bisulfite adduct, which was insoluble and could be filtered out. The remaining components were washed away with diethyl ether, leaving the pure benzaldehyde adduct.

Outlines
00:00
🧪 Transforming Paint Thinner into Cherry Soda

The video, sponsored by Opera, documents an experiment where the host attempts to convert paint thinner into cherry soda. The process is based on the chemical similarity between toluene, a solvent in paint thinner, and benzaldehyde, a chemical used for cherry flavoring. The host outlines the challenges and safety precautions, including the potential toxicity and explosive risks of the chemicals involved.

05:01
🔍 Preparing Toluene and Setting Up the Reaction

The host acquires toluene-based paint thinner from a local store and conducts a purity test using sulfuric acid and isatin. Finding the toluene sufficiently pure, they proceed to remove water content using 3A molecular sieves. The host then sets up the chemical reaction with the Étard reaction in mind, using chromyl chloride, a toxic and volatile chemical, and taking precautions against its hazardous fumes.

10:03
🧴 Dealing with the Étard Complex and Extracting Benzaldehyde

The host describes the process of creating the Étard complex through the reaction between chromyl chloride and toluene, while carefully controlling the temperature to prevent an explosion. After stirring the reaction mixture overnight, they dismantle the setup and attempt to decompose the complex using sodium sulfite. The goal is to obtain benzaldehyde, but the host encounters difficulties and the substance obtained does not have the expected cherry scent.

15:03
🔥 Second Attempt and Isolating the Étard Complex

Two years after the initial failure, the host tries again with new ideas, including using carbon tetrachloride as a solvent and isolating the Étard complex. Despite taking precautions like bubbling argon gas through the reactants and distilling all components for purity, the host still ends up with a product that does not resemble benzaldehyde. The complex is tested for stability and found to be less explosive than expected.

20:06
🎯 Final Efforts to Obtain Benzaldehyde

After multiple failed attempts, the host tries a desperate measure by returning to the original reaction and altering the pH to basic using sodium carbonate. This change results in a slightly yellow oil that suggests the presence of benzaldehyde. The host then purifies the substance using sodium bisulfite to create a benzaldehyde sodium bisulfite adduct, which is then converted back to benzaldehyde using sodium carbonate.

25:07
🥤 Making the Cherry Soda and Reflecting on the Process

With the purified benzaldehyde in hand, the host creates a cherry soda recipe using sugar, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and distilled water, along with green food dye for color. The benzaldehyde is added to the soda base, and after carbonation, the host tastes the final product and finds it surprisingly good, akin to regular cherry soda. The host expresses satisfaction with the successful transformation of harmful chemicals into an enjoyable beverage and provides updates on their video production plans.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Toluene
Toluene is a solvent commonly used in paint thinners. It is chemically similar to benzaldehyde, which is used for its cherry flavor. In the video, the creator aims to convert toluene into benzaldehyde to create cherry soda, highlighting the chemical transformation process as the central theme.
💡Benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde is an organic compound that is known for its characteristic cherry smell and is often used as a flavoring agent in the food industry. In the video, it is the desired end product of converting toluene from paint thinner, showcasing the potential of chemical reactions to alter substances into something with a pleasant sensory experience.
💡Étard Reaction
The Étard reaction is a chemical process mentioned in the video that the creator uses to attempt the conversion of toluene into benzaldehyde. It involves the use of chromyl chloride and is depicted as a critical step in the transformation, emphasizing the role of specific chemical reactions in achieving the video's goal.
💡Chromyl Chloride
Chromyl chloride is a toxic, carcinogenic, and highly volatile chemical used in the Étard reaction to convert toluene into benzaldehyde. Its dangerous nature is highlighted by the safety precautions taken during its use, such as working under a fume hood and the use of personal protective equipment, underscoring the risks involved in chemical experimentation.
💡DCM (Dichloromethane)
DCM, or dichloromethane, is a solvent used in the initial stages of the video to dilute toluene. It plays a crucial role in the reaction setup, helping to control the reaction's temperature and prevent an explosion, which is a significant safety concern in the video's narrative.
💡Sodium Sulfite
Sodium sulfite is used in the video to decompose the Étard complex and protect the potentially sensitive benzaldehyde from oxidation. Its addition to the reaction mixture is a key step in obtaining the desired benzaldehyde, illustrating the importance of specific reagents in chemical synthesis.
💡Benzyl Chloride
Benzyl chloride is a chemical compound that is structurally similar to benzaldehyde but has different properties. In the video, it is identified as a possible contaminant or incorrect product resulting from the reaction, highlighting the challenges of achieving the correct chemical transformation and the need for careful analysis and testing.
💡Benzaldehyde Sodium Bisulfite Adduct
The benzaldehyde sodium bisulfite adduct is a compound formed when benzaldehyde reacts with sodium bisulfite. In the video, this adduct is used as a purification step to isolate benzaldehyde from other components in the mixture. The formation of the adduct and its subsequent conversion back to benzaldehyde is a critical part of the process described.
💡H-NMR (Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)
H-NMR is a analytical technique used to determine the structure of organic compounds. In the video, it is used to confirm the purity of the synthesized benzaldehyde, ensuring that the final product is safe for consumption and meets the intended goal of creating cherry soda.
💡Carbon Tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride is a solvent used in a second attempt to improve the yield of benzaldehyde in the video. Despite its historical use and the creator's efforts, it does not yield the desired results, demonstrating the trial-and-error nature of chemical experimentation and the sometimes unpredictable outcomes.
💡Cherry Soda
The end goal of the video's chemical transformations is to create cherry soda. The successful synthesis of benzaldehyde, its addition to a sugar solution, and the subsequent carbonation result in a beverage that the creator finds surprisingly good, emphasizing the rewarding outcome of the complex chemical journey undertaken.
Highlights

The video is sponsored by Opera and features an experiment to convert paint thinner into cherry soda.

The experiment is based on the chemical similarity between toluene, found in paint thinners, and benzaldehyde, a common cherry flavoring agent.

The process involves extracting toluene from paint thinner and using chemistry to transform it into benzaldehyde.

The use of chromyl chloride and the Étard reaction is central to the conversion process.

Safety precautions are emphasized, including cooling the reaction mixture to prevent potential explosions.

The initial attempt results in a failure, producing a substance that resembles benzaldehyde but has an incorrect smell and causes irritation.

After a two-year hiatus, the experimenter revisits the project with new ideas, including using carbon tetrachloride as a solvent.

The second attempt involves isolating the Étard complex, which is described as potentially explosive.

The use of sodium bisulfite is key to obtaining a pure form of benzaldehyde.

The final product is confirmed as pure benzaldehyde through an H-NMR test.

The benzaldehyde is used to create a cherry soda, which surprisingly tastes good and is comparable to store-bought varieties.

The experimenter expresses satisfaction with the outcome and reflects on the learning process and challenges faced.

The video includes a sponsorship message for Opera, highlighting its features and benefits.

The experimenter discusses plans for future video content and thanks patrons for their support.

A special pinboard is created for the cherry soda project, and a link is provided in the video description.

Transcripts
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