Synthesis of Benzocaine. A ester of PABA and Ethanol.

The video tutorial covers the synthesis of benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, starting with PABA and using Fischer esterification. It explains the use of a Soxhlet extractor for solvent cycling, setting up a condenser, and safety tips. The process involves refluxing the reaction mixture, monitoring the exothermic reaction, and neutralizing the acid to isolate the product. The tutorial emphasizes careful temperature control and proper setup to ensure successful synthesis.

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