Procedure

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SYLLABUS

What you need to do:
Part A: Extracting the cocaine from your currency

1. Bring in several pieces of U.S. currency from $1 - $20.
2. Using a 100 mL beaker from your locker, fill it with ~ 40 mL of methanol.
3. Using a glass stir rod, place your currency into the methanol and stir gently.
4. Continue to stir until all of the currency is completely submerged.
5. Allow the currency to soak for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the currency from the beaker and lay flat on a paper towel to dry.
7. Place the beaker on a hot plate set on low to evaporate the remaining alcohol. Don’t boil it dry, just allow it to evaporate slowly.

Part B: Confirming the presence of cocaine

1. Spray the residue in the beaker with the NaOH solution provided.
2. Allow the beaker to dry again.
3. Carefully use your hand to waft the odor of the residue in the beaker towards you.
4. The detection of the odor of methyl benzoate confirms the presence of cocaine. (Use the sample provided as a reference of the correct odor)
5. Report your findings to the class.