Uploaded August 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Some benzene is made from sodium benzoate and sodium hydroxide by dry distillation. About 300 grams of sodium benzoate and about 100 grams of sodium hydroxide were placed in a steel reaction vessel which was in turn vented to a condenser. Heat was applied with a propane torch and benzene began to distill over. This benzene is impure and has an orange color. It needs to be redistilled, which I will do in the next video.
Please note that benzene is a carcinogen. If you perform this experiment, it must be done outside, or under serious ventilation.
Do not breathe the fumes of benzene, or allow skin contact.
Some benzene is made from sodium benzoate and sodium hydroxide by dry distillation. About 300 grams of sodium benzoate and about 100 grams of sodium hydroxide were placed in a steel reaction vessel which was in turn vented to a condenser. Heat was applied with a propane torch and benzene began to distill over. This benzene is impure and has an orange color. It needs to be redistilled, which I will do in the next video.
Please note that benzene is a carcinogen. If you perform this experiment, it must be done outside, or under serious ventilation.
Do not breathe the fumes of benzene, or allow skin contact.
