Organic Compounds: Acetanilide, P-Nitro Acetanilide, Aniline Yellow, Iodoform

Acetanilide, P-Nitro Acetanilide, Aniline Yellow, and Iodoform are different organic compounds examples. They belong to different categories of organic compounds and thus have different physical and chemical properties. All of these compounds have varied usage in the commercial market and are highly useful compounds because of their properties. The sections below will study the structure, chemical formula, preparation, properties, and uses of these organic compounds. Let us start with Acetanilide.

Acetanilide

Acetanilide is a synthetic organic compound.

• IUPAC Name: N-Phenylacetamide
• Molecular Formula: C₈H₉NO
• Molar Mass: 135.17 g/mol
• Classification:  Acetanilide is a member of the acetamides class. It is also known as Acetanil or N-phenylacetamide.
• Appearance: Acetanilide is an odorless solid. It has a solid leaf or flake-like appearance.
• Structure: It is an anilide that has one of the hydrogen atoms attached to the nitrogen substituted by a phenyl group.
• Preparation: When acetic anhydride reacts with aniline in the presence of Zn dust, you get Acetanilide. The chemical reaction is as follows:

C₆H₅NH2 + (CH₃CO)₂O → C₆H₅NHCOCH₃ + CH₃COOH

Physical Properties

• Acetanilide is in the form of a white to gray solid.
• It is stable under most conditions.
• It is slightly soluble in water.
• It has a melting point of 114.3 degrees.

Uses

• Used in the manufacture of colored dyes for textiles.
• Used as a reagent in rubber production.
• As an inhibitor in hydrogen peroxide decomposition.
• Widely used in the pharmaceutical field as an analgesic and the synthesis of penicillin and sulfa drugs.

Acetanilide is combustible at high temperatures and causes severe health hazards. If humans come into direct contact with it, it can cause severe irritation on the skin and eyes. It can also cause skin allergies and respiratory tract irritation.

P-Nitro Acetanilide

P- nitroacetanilide or Para nitroacetanilide is an organic compound that is a nitroacetanilide derivative.

• IUPAC Name: N-(4-nitrophenyl) acetamide
• Molecular Formula:  C₈H₈N₂O₃
• Molar Mass: 180.16 g/mol
• Classification:  P- nitroacetanilide belongs to the class of nitro derivative of Acetanilide. It is also known as Para nitroacetanilide or 4-Nitroacetanilide.
• Appearance: Whitish green or brown solid.
• Structure: It is an anilide that has one of the hydrogen atoms attached to the nitrogen and is substituted by a phenyl group.
• Preparation: When acetanilide is nitrated, p-nitroacetanilide is prepared. Acetanilide is treated with a special nitrating mixture of nitric acid and sulphuric acid. The resulting products are p-nitroacetanilide and o-nitroacetanilide. P-nitroacetanilide can be isolated through crystallization as o-nitroacetanilide is soluble in alcohol.

The chemical reaction is as follows:

Physical Properties

• P-nitroacetanilide is a colorless to white crystalline solid.
• It is a stable compound and combustible.
• It is soluble in water and alcohol but insoluble in cold water.
• It has a melting point of 215 degrees C.

Uses

• P-nitroacetanilide is used in the pharmaceutical industry for preparing paracetamol and phenacetin.
• It is also used as a pesticide and in rubber chemicals.
• It is commonly used as an intermediate for dyes.

P-nitroacetanilide can cause skin irritation and serious eye irritation. On close human contact, it can also lead to respiratory tract irritation.

Aniline Yellow

Aniline Yellow or para amino azobenzene is an organic compound that is an aromatic amine. It is a derivative of azobenzene. It has the appearance of an orange powder and exists as a yellow dye.

• IUPAC Name: (E)-4-(phenyldiazenyl)aniline
• Molecular Formula:  C₁₂H₁₁N₃
• Molar Mass: 197.24 g/mol
• Classification:  Azobenzene derivative
• Appearance: Solid powder with orange needle-shaped crystals.
• Structure: It consists of a phenyl group attached to an amino group, and this aniline is the simplest aromatic amine.
• Preparation: Aniline yellow is prepared by a coupling reaction between benzene diazonium chloride and phenylamine or aniline in an acidic medium

Physical Properties

• Aniline Yellow or para amino azobenzene has the odor of rotten fish like most volatile amines.
• It readily burns with a smoky flame.
• It is a stable compound under normal temperature and pressure.
• It is slightly water-soluble.
• It has a melting point of 123 to 126 degrees C.

Uses

• Aniline Yellow or para amino azobenzene is a significant industrial chemical.
• It is a starting material for fine chemical synthesis.
• It is used in the manufacture of polyurethane and other industrial chemicals.
• It is also popularly used in dyeing and as an intermediate product in the manufacture of Acid Yellow and other diazo dyes.

Aniline Yellow organic compound can be harmful if exposed to skin or swallowed. It can cause skin irritation and serious eye and respiratory tract irritation.

Iodoform

Iodoform is an organic iodine compound.

• IUPAC Name: Triiodomethane
• Molecular Formula: CHI₃
• Molar Mass:  393.73 g/mol
• Classification:  Iodoform belongs to the organic halogen compound family.
• Appearance: A pale yellow, crystalline, solid, or powder
• Structure: An iodoform molecule follows tetrahedral molecular geometry.
• Preparation: Iodoform is prepared from ethanol and acetone in several steps in the lab.

It can also be prepared from acetone and iodine in the presence of sodium hydroxide.

Physical Properties

• Iodoform has a distinct pungent odor.
• It has a sweetish taste like chloroform.
• It is insoluble in water but soluble in ether or ethanol.
• It has a melting point of 121 degrees C.

Uses

• Iodoform can be used as a disinfectant.
• It is also used for antiseptic dressing of wounds or sores.
• It was previously used for sterilizing the instruments that are used for surgery.

Iodoform has antiseptic properties. So, whenever Iodoform comes in contact with the organic matter of human skin, it decomposes to give free iodine. This iodine acts as an antiseptic that kills bacteria and fungi.