Lecture Notes: Transforming Paint Thinner into Cherry Soda

Introduction

• Sponsored by Opera.
• Previous transformation: plastic gloves to grape soda.
• Current project: turning paint thinner into cherry soda.

Background

• Paint thinner contains toluene, a solvent.
• Toluene is chemically similar to benzaldehyde, a cherry flavor.

Objective

• Extract toluene from paint thinner.
• Convert toluene into benzaldehyde using chemistry.
• Use benzaldehyde to make cherry soda.

Initial Steps

• Obtaining Toluene: Found toluene-based paint thinner at a hardware store.
• Purity Check: Tested for sulfur impurities with sulfuric acid and isatin (no impurities found).
• Dehydration: Used 3A molecular sieves to remove water from toluene.

Conversion Process

• Étard Reaction: Chosen method for conversion.
  • Uses chromyl chloride, a toxic and volatile chemical.
• Reaction Setup:
  • Mixed toluene with DCM (dichloromethane) and chromyl chloride.
  • Cooled setup to avoid explosion due to exothermic reaction.
• Outcome: Initial attempt produced benzyl chloride instead of benzaldehyde.

Second Attempt

• Changes Made:
  • Used carbon tetrachloride instead of DCM.
  • Isolated Étard complex.
• Testing Stability: Étard complex was less volatile than expected.
• Outcome: Different solvent and isolation yielded better results, but still insufficient benzaldehyde.

Final Attempt and Success

• Adjustment:
  • Used sodium carbonate instead of acid.
  • Employed diethyl ether for extraction.
• Result: Successfully purified benzaldehyde using sodium bisulfite adduct method.

Making Cherry Soda

• Base recipe included sugar, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and food dye.
• Flavoring: Added benzaldehyde to create cherry taste.
• Carbonation: Used a home carbonation device.
• Outcome: Soda tasted close to regular cherry soda, deemed a success.

Personal Notes

• Acknowledged delay in posting videos due to various reasons (moving, projects, organization).
• Future plans to release more content.
• Expressed gratitude to patrons and sponsor.

Sponsorship: Opera

• Features & benefits of using Opera browser.
• Integrated with AI tools and customization options.

Conclusion

• Successful conversion of toxic substances into an enjoyable product.
• Encouragement to support through Patreon and explore Opera browser.