The microscale synthesis of azo dyes

Several fabrics that have been dyed different colours

Source: ©Shutterstock

Synthesise an azo dye, and use it to change the colour of cotton, with this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this practical, students prepare an azo dye and use it to dye a piece of cotton. The synthesis is unusual in that whereas most organic syntheses require ambient or elevated temperature, this synthesis requires low temperatures.

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