Reduction of a nitro group to an amine
Step 1 The Nitration of Phenol Procedure A 3 – necked round bottom flask was placed in an ice water bath and a thermometer was placed into one of the necks. 15g of Sodium Nitrate (V) was placed into the flask with 40 cm³ of water and stirred using a magnetic stirrer. 13.6 cm³/25g of concentrated sulphuric acid was then cautiously added to the stirred solution. The solution was allowed to cool. Next, 9.4g (0.1 mol) of solid Phenol was added slowly so that the temperature of the solution did not rise above 20ºC (roughly ½ a spatula at a time for 20 minutes, and then stirred constantly using a magnetic stirrer, for two hours. The thermometer was removed, and the supernatant liquid decanted off. 30cm³ of water was then added to the residue. A dropping funnel was put into one of the necks, a stillhead and condenser into another, and a stopper inserted the third.