At the end of this lab, students should know...
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Q1: What safety equipment is required before preparing luminol synthesis solutions?
Before starting, put on a lab coat, splash-proof safety glasses, and nitrile gloves. Both the hydrazine and NaOH solutions must be prepared and handled in a fume hood because the chemicals are hazardous. Hydrazine is flammable, toxic, and explosive, while NaOH is highly corrosive and can cause skin damage.
Q2: How do you prepare a 10% hydrazine solution by volume?
Measure 8.4 mL of deionized water into a 30-mL beaker. Add 1.6 mL of hydrazine hydrate to reach a total volume of 10 mL. Stir the mixture with a glass rod until well mixed, then transfer to a labeled 20-mL glass bottle and store in a flammables cabinet.
Q3: What are the steps for preparing a 2.8 to 3 M sodium hydroxide solution?
Measure 2.2 to 2.4 g of solid NaOH and add it to a 50-mL beaker. Pour 20 mL of deionized water into the beaker and stir on a stir plate until the NaOH completely dissolves. Transfer the solution to a labeled 20-mL glass bottle, cap it, and store in the appropriate cabinet.
Q4: What waste management setup is needed before starting the luminol synthesis experiment?
Reserve a separate dark room for the experiment. Prepare a container for fluorescein waste and ensure a glass waste container is available. Set out a 10% sodium hypochlorite solution and a 1 M sodium carbonate solution in the waste hood, along with a wash bottle filled with deionized water.
Q5: Which chemicals and equipment should be placed in the central fume hood?
Place triethylene glycol, the hydrazine solution, the NaOH solution, glacial acetic acid, and dimethyl sulfoxide in the central hood. Also set out a 1-mL graduated pipette and a pipette controller designated specifically for hydrazine in the same hood to prevent cross-contamination.
Q6: What glassware and equipment should be set up at each student lab station?
Each pair of students needs graduated cylinders, Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers of various sizes, test tubes, Büchner funnels, a stirring hotplate, Bunsen burner, lab stands with clamps, thermometers, spatulas, boiling chips, stirring rods, and filter adapters. Additional items include flask tongs, tweezers, pipette bulbs, and laboratory tape for labeling.
Q7: What materials should be brought to the balance area before the experiment begins?
Bring containers of 3-nitrophthalic acid, anhydrous sodium dithionite, solid potassium hydroxide, and fluorescein to the balance area. Ensure sufficient laboratory wipes, spatulas, and weighing boats are available for all students to accurately measure and handle these solid reagents during preparation.