Carbon Dioxide → Terephthalic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

0.22 grams of a potassium salt of terephthalate was dissolved in 10.5 grams of deionized water in a 20 ml vial, and 5 grams of dry ice was added directly, and the vial was loosely capped. After two to three minutes, the solution became cloudy, and soon a large quantity of flocculent terephthalic acid precipitate was formed. After filtration, about 40% of the theoretical yield of terephthalic acid was recovered. The filtrate was a clear solution of potassium salts. The pH increased from about 6 when chilled before filtration to about 7 after the dry ice had all sublimed, and the solution warmed to room temperature, showing the presence of excess base after the CO2 had outgassed.

Provenance & Evidence