Extraction of Trimyristin from Nutmeg

Extraction of Trimyristin from Nutmeg

Purpose

To extract trimyristin from nutmeg by performing a simple solid-liquid extraction and to purify product using recrystallization

Chemicals

Equipment and Glassware

10mL round-bottom flask, condenser, Pasteur filter tip, ice-bath, sand-bath, filtering paper, Craig tube, funnel

Procedure

• Weigh about 1.0 grams of ground nutmeg and transfer it to your 25ml round-bottomed flask.
• Add 10mL of diethyl ether and two boiling pellets to the flask
• Attach a reflux condenser, and heat the nutmeg at reflux for at least 30 minutes
• Allow the reaction to cool, and filter off the nutmeg residue by gravity filtration into a 50mL round-bottomed flask
• Rinse your 25mL round-bottomed flask with 10mL of diethyl ether, and filter this into the Craig tube
• Gently evaporate the diethyl ether and add 1mL of acetone to the residual yellow oil
• Warm mixture briefly.
• Allow solution to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes
• Cool Craig tube in an ice-bath for additional 15 minute and extract the product by filtration
• Scrape the crystals on the glass into the tube and air-dry
• Weigh the product and determine the melting point

Pre- Lab Question

• Trimyristin is very soluble in ether, even at room temperature.  Diethyl ether and acetone are polar
• They will dissolve faster as they have a larger surface area
• Trimyristin is ether.  It has a lot of hydrogen attached to it making it saturated.  The molecules pack together better than unsaturated molecules making it a solid at room temperature
• By gravity filtration
• Water is not a good solvent choice