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SYNTHESIS OF
HYDROALCOHOLIC
GEL

JA
JUNE
PRIM
CHILI
SOOYOUNG
OBJECTIVE
1. How to demonstrate uses of organic
chemistry compounds such as alcohol.
2. How to synthesize Hydroalcoholic gel by
using alcohol
 INTRODUCTION
One of the main ingredients of the hand gel is
ethanol or alcohol. From its name, we can know that there
is two carbon in this chemical. Ethanol is a clear, volatile,
flammable, colorless liquid solution. Also, it has a unique
odor. Mostly, it used for topical disinfectant. It molecular
formula is CH3CH2OH. The ethanol is made from the
fermentation of the sugar, yeasts, and the petrochemical
process.
Have you ever think why hand gel can kill bacteria?
Pathogen are present around all the time. One way that
you can get infection is from your hand. To prevent this,
all the center about the disease and all health care center
recommend people to use soap and water. However,
soap and water are not avaliable for all the time which
lead to new thing called alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer. It
is one of the convenient things to clean yourself because
this product doesnt need water. As you know, Ethanol or
alcohols is used to kill the bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It
kill those living things by change the bacteria proteins and
destroy the bacteria lipids.
 However, it cannot kill the bacteria spores.
There are many materials such as chemical substances and
laboratory apparatus so to introduce, Carbopol 940 is a
substance that creates the thick mixture of the gel, it is the
thickening agent. Then Ethyl Alcohol is the antiseptic which
becomes the sanitizer to kill bacteria, there are 95% alcohol
because any quantity larger than that would be too much
alcohol. Also, Propylene Glycol is the substance that provides
moisture to the gel and so the users would have a moisturized
hand. Next is the triethanolamine, this is one of the important
substances as well because it forms the gel and the fluid like
substance of the gel and with the help of Carbopol 940, they
are fluid like and thick as well.
To did this experiment it is based on the knowledge of
Organic chemistry. It is a studies upon the structures,
properties, compositions, reactions and preparations of
molecular compounds containing carbon, which does not only
include carbon but also numeral varieties of compounds that
contains at least one carbon-hydrogen bonded element.
Organically compromised compounds -hydrogen,
nitrogen,oxygen halogen, phosphorus, silicon and sulfur- are
produced by living organisms, which the ability produce such
complex structures were extended that humans are able to
adaptably to inhibit substances such as plastics and so on.The
range of application of organic compounds is enormous and
also includes, but is not limited to, pharmaceuticals,
petrochemicals, food, explosives, paints, and cosmetics.
 IAL
TER
MA u s e d :

ca ls
e mi
Ch

Carbopol 940 Triethanolamine Prepylene glycol Ethyl Alcohol 95% Distilled water

1.5 grams 1.5 grams 5 ml 370 ml 128 ml

Coloring agent Aroma essential oil

(Food grade)
 IAL
TER
MA app
ar atu
s :

or y
r a t
o
Lab

Weighing paper Magnetic bar Dropper Stirring rod Hot plate

50 ml Beaker 100 ml Beaker 600 ml Beaker

10 ml Measuring Cylinder Container

 PROCEDURES
1. Dissolve 1.5 grams of Carbopol 940 with 128 ml of
distilled water
2. Heat at 100 C, Stirring for 5-10 minutes by using
magnetic bar
3. Then, add 370 ml of ethyl alcohol and 5 ml of
propylene glycol, further blend for minutes
4. Gently drop 1.5 grams of triethanolamine until it mix
well
5. Leave at room temperature at least 15 minutes, gel
should form during this time.
6. At last step, adjust color and essential oil
7. Hand in sample, labelled with your name group, the
name of compound and the date to the lab instructor.
 RESULTS
Physical properties

The first results the gel to have a strong smell of ethanol,

transparent structure and thick, gel like substance. The later
results varied within the group because of the different colors and
smell used to decorate however, the gel was identical for all
members, with smooth textures, some air bubbles trapped inside
the jelly like phase substance.
The different colors used from the food coloring were light
pink, pinkish-red from the mixing of red and yellow, transparent
white with different aromatic odors which were apricot, green tea
and jasmine.
The colors were put in a minimal amount so that the colors
come out in a fairly light color so that once the user uses the gel,
food coloring does not stick to their hands, it would do so if theres
large amount of food coloring present in the gel. Also, the odor,
some were put in an appropriate level which indicated a good
smell however, some had too much of the odor which caused the
gel to have such a strong smell that it was unpleasant to use. But
the amount of odor had to be inserted in a large amount because
it would cover up the smell of alcohol, however, too much could
be overwhelming the substances.
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the lab experiment was successful,
it was fun and creative and underlines the synthesis of
hydroalcoholic gel. It also provides insight on the uses
of organic substances such as alcohol. Hydroalcoholic
gel was made by using chemicals mainly of propylene
glycol, carbopol 940, ethyl alcohol and triethanolamine
to form the mixture of Hydroalcoholic gel. The coloring
and odor provides the final touches for the formation of
a useful product of Hydroalcoholic gel, without colors
and odor, the gel would not be as creative and
attractive as it could be.
RECOMMENDATION
After the experiment, it is time to add the
aroma oil and add color. Different members in
the group will add different colors and aroma.
However, in some of those member, they add
too much aroma which made the hand gel
became watery and the structure and texture
wasnt a gel anymore. Moreover, as that
members add too much aroma, when you use
that hand gel, the smell is too strong and
causes the user to feel lightheaded. So, to
further recommend, we should gradually add
the aroma instead of pouring it. Also, we should
let the mixture of gel (before adding any
additional decoration materials) settle and so
the ethanol can evaporate into the air and
decrease the strong odor of alcohol.