I searched menthol and there is a suprising lack of mention. I was shocked because it is such an interesting molecule. It has so many cool properties
and uses. I just felt it needed its own thread.Bot0nist - 26-9-2012 at 14:30
I agree, it is interesting, but to start a discussion you need to bring more to the table in your post. Include some synthesis refrences and
experiments, some extraction and isolation information, maybe even a brief description and some applications you find interesting.
Check out the Forum Guidelines as they will help you craft a post that will be better recieved and avoid getting on any of the mods/members nerves.
For instance, without references, this thread will likely be place in beginings.
Good luck,
TheBot.Teen Chemist - 26-9-2012 at 16:58
How about this, I am currently trying to extract menthol from a pain reliever called Biofreeze by boiling the jel in water then cooling it to
recrystalize.
[Edited on 27-9-2012 by Teen Chemist]Waffles SS - 27-9-2012 at 00:48
I am currently trying to extract menthol from a pain reliever called Biofreeze by boiling the jel in water then cooling it to recrystalize.
According to the MSDS, Biofreeze is 15 - 40% Isopropyl Alcohol, 3%-7% L-Menthol and 1%-5% glycerin. Presumably, the remainder is water. The
isopropyl alcohol forms an azeotrope with a bp of 80.37ºC, so that should be the first fraction to come off. Next is the isopropyl alcohol itself,
with a bp of 82.5ºC. At that point, you will be left with water, menthol, and glycerine. L-menthol freezes at 41-43ºC, while glycerine does not
freeze until 18.17ºC, so you should be able to crystallize it out of the solution. (Of course, these numbers are altered a little by the fact that
the substances are mixed together, but the MPs and BPs are separated enough that it should not change the outcome.)
I also urge you to take precautions when boiling off IPA around an open flame.Teen Chemist - 27-9-2012 at 11:15
I use a hot plate to heat most of the things that need heating.Hexavalent - 27-9-2012 at 11:40
What would be interesting to see is if someone could oxidize it to menthone (the ketone) and then further to break open the ring.
