video tutorial Propiophenone synthesis from benzene and propionyl chloride

Summary: Synthesis of Propiophenone

• Reaction type: Friedel–Crafts acylation of benzene with propionyl chloride using aluminum chloride as a catalyst to form propiophenone.
• Setup and precautions: moisture-sensitive reagents; temperatures in the low to moderate range; use of an addition funnel and drying apparatus; ventilation due to toxic propionyl chloride and HCl.
• Workup and purification: hydrolysis of the intermediate, extraction to isolate the organic phase, drying, and steam/distillation purification to remove impurities and isolate the product.
• Product: propiophenone, a pale yellow oily liquid with a sweet/aromatic/spicy aroma.
• Yield: approximately 63% relative to the starting propionyl chloride; lower than some literature values but potentially improvable on scale-up.
• Notes: byproducts include HCl; some benzene recovery reported; careful temperature control and stirring are important for yield.