The video documents two experimental attempts to react manganese(III) acetate with anisole under reflux in acetone, aiming to form a manganese–aryl adduct. In the first run, about 5.8 g Mn3 acetate and anisole (2.5 equivalents) were combined with dry acetone and petroleum ether, refluxed for four hours, then worked up by extraction with dichloromethane, water washing, and drying. The organic extract yielded anisole, and no adduct or product was detected (tests for adduct formation were negative). Recrystallization of Mn3 acetate from hot acetic acid proved highly soluble; cooling failed to precipitate solids, even after adding petroleum ether. A later attempt to crystallize produced a brown viscous liquid with some solid formation that was partially soluble in ether, giving unclear results.
In a second attempt, a fresh Mn3 acetate batch was prepared and washed with diethyl ether to remove acetic acid residues. This run used anisole and a larger excess of dry acetone (no separate solvent) and was refluxed for about three hours. The brown solids formed resembled manganese dioxide and did not form a brown organic solution upon water extraction. The dichloromethane filtrate yielded colorless crystals in some cases; the organic layer was separated, dried, and the solvents removed. Distillation recovered mostly anisole, with no ketone product detected; the steam distillate also appeared to contain anisole. Overall, no conclusive product was obtained, though the second run showed some activity that could warrant further study.
The researchers conclude that results are inconclusive with open questions and plan to continue experimenting and report conclusions later.
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