video tutorial Henry condensation between vanillin and nitroethane using a microwave

Name: video tutorial - Henry condensation between vanillin and nitroethane using a microwave
Uploaded: 2025-12-11T09:03:44.273Z
Duration: 7 min 18 s
Description: In this video we'll be performing a famous condensation reaction between an...Check out our other video linked here for details about how this can be synthesized.

Topic: Henry condensation between vanillin and a nitroalkane to form a 2-nitropropyl adduct.
Reagents and catalyst: vanillin, nitroalkane, and anhydrous ammonium acetate in glacial acetic acid as solvent.
Method: microwave-assisted heating on a small scale to promote the reaction, followed by precipitation, filtration, and purification.
Outcomes: crude yield around half of the theoretical yield, purified product obtained by recrystallization; the compound is relatively unstable and should be stored frozen, decomposing in warm water.
Notes: the procedure can be adapted with different aldehydes or nitroalkanes, and optimization (e.g., longer heating) may improve yield.