In this video I demonstrate how cyclohexanone is oxidized to yield adipic acid.
I charged 250 ml 3 necked round bottom flask with 100 ml of concentrated nitric acid. The flask was equipped with a condenser and an addition funnel. The funnel was charged with 26,2 grams of cyclohexanone. Then the flask was heated on an oil bath until the acid started to boil. When this happened, the ketone was allowed to slowly dip in the acid. Immediately a vigorous reaction started which produced a lot of nitrogen dioxide gas. In one hour, the addition was over and now the reaction mixture was left to boil for 15 minutes longer. After that the flask was cooled in an ice bath upon which the adipic acid crystalized. The precipitate was filtered and washed 2 times with cold distilled water. Finally, the adipic acid was recrystallized from 50 ml of concentrated nitric acid.
Yield 16,7 g, 43%.