In this lab, trimyristin was isolated from nutmeg using tert-butyl methyl ether, resulting in 73.1% recovery. Once recrystallization with acetone was performed to recover 13% from the nutmeg. A second recrystallization was performed to recover 59% of the pure trimyristin. A hydrolysis and acidification reaction was then performed to result in myristic acid with a 13.9% crude yield. The purity of the trimyristin after each recrystallization and that of myristic acid was assessed through melting point analysis. The initial recrystallized trimyristin had a melting point around 54°C whereas the second recrystallized trimyristin had a melting point of 56-57°C. Since the second recrystallization product had the expected melting point, this indicated that the impurities present within the initial recrystallized trimyristin were removed through the second recrystallization procedure and recovered a purer compound. The myristic acid product of the hydrolysis reaction was found to melt at 53°C whereas the expected value of melting for pure myristic acid is found to be 55°C. This would indicate that the acquired product was not completely pure. The amount of trimyristin from the nutmeg was about 73.1% and could be due to the lack of definite time and intensity of the reaction. This subjectivity could also be a reason why the yield of myristic acid was relatively low. It was unclear if the solid needed more stirring or more hydrochloric acid, but either could be the issue.
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