Cristalización del Salol (Salicilato de Fenilo)

Observación del crecimiento de cristales bajo un microscopio en tiempo real

Crystallization Intermediate (High School) 30 min ~$10,00

Objetivo

Observar el crecimiento en tiempo real de cristales de salol bajo un microscopio, estudiando la nucleación, las tasas de crecimiento cristalino y el efecto de la temperatura en la morfología cristalina.

Antecedentes

Salol (phenyl salicylate) has a melting point of 43°C, making it perfect for observing crystallization under a microscope in real time. It can be melted on a microscope slide and watched as it crystallizes, with the crystal fronts growing visibly. Supercooling is easily demonstrated.

Advertencias de seguridad

  • Salol can irritate skin — wash hands after handling
  • Handle microscope slides carefully — breakage risk
  • Do not overheat salol (decomposes above 70°C)

EPP requerido

goggles

Materiales

  • Salol (phenyl salicylate) (2 g)
    Melting point 43°C
  • Microscope slides (3)
  • Cover slips (3)

Equipamiento

Microscope (at least 40x) Hot plate or warm water bath Tweezers Timer

Procedimiento

1

Place a small amount of salol on a microscope slide. Warm gently on the hot plate until the salol melts (43°C). Place a cover slip on top.

5 min Do not overheat — decomposes above 70°C
2

Place the slide on the microscope stage. Focus at low magnification (40x). Allow to cool.

3 min
3

Watch for nucleation points — small bright spots where crystal growth begins.

5 min
4

Observe the crystal growth fronts expanding across the field of view. Time the growth rate.

5 min
5

Touch a cold metal object to one edge of the slide to create a temperature gradient. Observe how crystal morphology changes with cooling rate.

5 min
6

Draw or photograph the crystal patterns. Note the needle-like or fan-shaped morphology.

5 min

Resultados esperados

Needle-like or fan-shaped crystal fronts should be visible growing across the field of view in real time. Faster cooling produces finer needles; slower cooling produces larger, more regular crystals. Supercooling may be observed (liquid persists below 43°C until nucleation occurs).

Limpieza

Allow slides to cool completely. Scrape off salol and dispose in solid waste. Clean slides with ethanol.

Detalles

Categoría
Crystallization
Dificultad
Intermediate (High School)
Duración
30 min
Costo estimado
$10,00
Pasos
6
Materiales
3

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the objective of Cristalización del Salol (Salicilato de Fenilo)?
Observar el crecimiento en tiempo real de cristales de salol bajo un microscopio, estudiando la nucleación, las tasas de crecimiento cristalino y el efecto de la temperatura en la morfología cristalina.
How difficult is Cristalización del Salol (Salicilato de Fenilo)?
This experiment is rated as Intermediate (High School). It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
What safety precautions are needed for Cristalización del Salol (Salicilato de Fenilo)?
Key safety precautions include: Salol can irritate skin — wash hands after handling; Handle microscope slides carefully — breakage risk; Do not overheat salol (decomposes above 70°C).
What materials are needed for Cristalización del Salol (Salicilato de Fenilo)?
The main materials required are: Salol (phenyl salicylate), Microscope slides, Cover slips.
What results should I expect from Cristalización del Salol (Salicilato de Fenilo)?
Needle-like or fan-shaped crystal fronts should be visible growing across the field of view in real time. Faster cooling produces finer needles; slower cooling produces larger, more regular crystals. Supercooling may be observed (liquid persists below 43°C until nucleation occurs).