PROSEDUR

Weigh the potassium carbonate into a 100 ml erlenmeyer flask and

add 20 ml water and the benzaldehyde. Swirl the mixture vigorously,
pour it into a test tube and alloe the two phases to separate over 30 min
when the upper layer of benzaldehye should be clear. Meanwhile weigh
the propanedioic acid into a second 100 ml conical flask and dissolve it in
the pyridine with gentle warming on a hot water bath. From the test-
tube remove 2 ml of the upper layer carefully using a graduated pipet
and add it to the solution of propanodioic acid in pyridine. Heat the
resultant mixture on the water bath and add a catalytic quantity of
piperidine (10 drops). Reaction is indicated by evolution of bubbles of
carbon dioxide as the decarboxylation proceeds. Continue heating until
the rate of apperance of bubbles become very slow (30min). Make the
volume up to 50 ml with 2 M hydrocloric acid and the filter of the
resultant solid with suction between washing. Tip the crystals into a
preweighed 100 ml beaker and dry them to constant weight in an 80˚C
oven. Record the weight, yield and mp of your product.