Is it possible to get benzene from sodium benzoate?

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    Benzene Sodium
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of synthesizing benzene from sodium benzoate, exploring various methods and safety concerns associated with the process. Participants consider theoretical and practical aspects of the synthesis, including the use of electrolysis and the dangers of high-temperature reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests drying distilling sodium benzoate with sodium hydroxide as a potential method to obtain benzene, but expresses concern about the dangers of handling molten sodium hydroxide at high temperatures.
  • Another participant questions the logic of using sodium hydroxide to 'cook' sodium benzoate to produce benzene, expressing skepticism about the method's validity and cautioning against 'street chemistry' due to benzene's toxicity.
  • A later reply acknowledges the difficulty in sourcing benzene and reiterates the search for safer alternative methods, emphasizing the dangerous nature of the previously mentioned approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a safe method to synthesize benzene from sodium benzoate. There are differing views on the proposed methods and their safety, with some expressing skepticism about the feasibility of the reactions discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the potential dangers associated with the synthesis of benzene, including toxicity and the risks of high-temperature reactions. There is also uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of the proposed methods and the validity of the claims made.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring organic synthesis, safety in chemical reactions, and alternative methods for obtaining chemical compounds.

Fezziwig
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I want a small amount of benzene. Obviously it is not easily purchasable, but sodium benzoate is. I have heard one way is to dry distil sodium benzoate and sodium hydroxide, but the though of dealing with molten sodium hydroxide at such high temperatures sounds too dangerous. Is there any other alternative that could perhaps be performed with standard glassware, e.g. some route using electrolysis.
 
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Fezziwig said:
I want a small amount of benzene. Obviously it is not easily purchasable,

. Not easily purchasable?
 
Sodium benzoate is produced by neutralizing benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide. I don't know how 'cooking' sodium benzoate with more sodium hydroxide is going to produce benzene. I would be generally wary of 'street chemistry' and the things I heard from random people. Benzene is toxic and carcinogenic in even 'small' quantities.
 
Thanks. Yes as far as I'm aware it is not very easy to get benzene unless you can list a source. And was not suggesting I try the above method. I was simply asking if anyone knows of an alternative to it, precisely because it is dangerous.
 

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