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Why is a solution of 4% acetic acid in 95% ethanol used to wash the crude aldol-dehydration product?

User Siburb
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A cold acetic acid solution is used to wash the residue of the reagent in preparation of an aldol condensation product after vacuum filtration. The main reason in washing with the acetic acid rinse is to neutralize any sodium hydroxide.

User Ovhaag
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