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The reaction with sodium works well if enough methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate is used. Students often don't use enough (unusually!) and the sodium ignites when added, producing lots of black smoke and some panic. There should preferably be at least 1 cm depth of molten compound and this will take a greater volume of powder to form. Care also needs to be taken to ensure that all the sodium is used up before any water is added to the test tube.
Materials:
| Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (3 g) | Sodium metal (1 small piece) |
| Ethanoic anhydride (1 cm3) | 1 M nitric acid (5 cm3) |
| 2 M sodium hydroxide (10 cm3) | 1 M sodium carbonate (5 cm3) |
| Bromine water (1 cm3) | Full range indicator (a few drops) |
| Concentrated hydrochloric acid (2 cm3) | Ethanol (10 cm3) |
| Ice | |
| Test tubes (7) | Dropping pipettes |
| Combustion spoon | Bunsen burner |
| Heat-proof mat | Test tube holders |
| Spatula | Boiling tube |