The Birch reduction

In this video, we explore the Birch Reduction by carrying it out on benzene. This is a very useful reaction and it is pretty cool to carry out too.

Depending on the groups attached to the ring, the mechanism does change a little bit and it produces a product that is reduced at different places.

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[moonbaer]

I am doing an apprenticeship as chemical laboratory assistant in switzerland and whenever I get bored, unmotivated or pissed of because I can't isolate my desired product or whatever I watch one of your vids and bam am totally motivated again. So thanks for the great videos and all the effort you put into it.

[moodikillerxx]

Fun fact: nigel started his channel as a cover up for his meth business to pay for college but he switched to do youtube full time when his channel blew up

[frankreynolds]

He said " this is how you make meth but I'm not making that and I have no idea why I'm doing this"

[galacticcadet]

I was going to suggest a methylamine HCl synthesis as a joke, but seeing you are already going to do it, then maybe a phenylacetone or a phenylnitropropene synthesis would be fitting :). In all seriousness, your videos are absolutely amazing and they make me want to start my chemistry hobby again.

[leonidalekseyev]

Well, as a Ph.D. in Chemistry I must say you carry out a wealth of cool reactions! May I humbly suggest which personnally find interesting, perhaps you'll get interested, too? ;)

[redbeaker]

Sir, I wanted you to know that I think so highly of your work, that my Advanced Chemistry class will be using your videos as guide to synthesizing various chemicals.  Thank you.

[augustus]

Best educational channel unique.... you're one of a kind on YouTube man..

[jaymeselliot]

Being able to see electrons with the naked eye is pretty cool. Thunderf00t did a thing that was similar by dropping the liquid alloy of potassium and sodium in to liquid ammonia which made it instantly pop in to a cloud of free floating electrons. The color was pretty wild too, like a brassy metallic blue. Ah chemistry.

[zubairb]

Seeing it with eyes is really special...We have been taught this reaction so many times but now I do get the real feel of completion..thanks brother. 👍

[lehandron]

Thank you so much, for conducting this reaction. It is often mentioned in books, but it's rarely found to be seen.

[FlyGuy]

Wife: Are you watching a video of a guy making meth?
Me: No honey, he is performing a birch reduction, a very specific type of reaction
Nile: This is the reaction used to make meth.
Wife:

[davidegale]

Im learning chemistry better with you then with my teacher at school :)

[zanpekosak]

Comments:
-70% Make meth
-20%Nitrous oxide
-10%Recrystalization.

[wart]

Not sure if you still have the product of this reaction, but you could always try a diels alder reaction

[Eedelia]

I love the blue color in this reaction!

[gustavoborba]

Love it how he adds "0, 21g of lithium in small portions of 0, 4g". Wonder how that happens

[ipso-kkft]

The blue color was really nice. Something I've rarely experienced.

[USERNAME-xu]

When you mentioned meth I am sure a couple people pulled out a notebook.

[mrchangcooler]

Another great video. I can't wait until we get those 4k resolution videos though.

[Jasonism]

I thought this was a video about shrinking trees. Imagine my surprise.