Abstract: The experiment for synthesizing cinnamic acid is a crucial foundational experiment in the current “Organic Chemistry Experiment” curriculum in higher education. However, during its implementation, several issues have emerged, including the unpleasant odor of residual benzaldehyde, sensitivity of raw materials to water, procurement challenges, and the generation of numerous high-temperature by-products. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes improvements to the classic cinnamic acid synthesis experiment. A homogeneous reaction system comprising benzaldehyde/malonic acid/triethylenediamine was employed to synthesize cinnamic acid. Additionally, a post-treatment method involving washing with sodium bisulfite was introduced to eliminate residual benzaldehyde, thereby aligning the experiment with modern teaching practices and the principles of green chemistry. The enhanced experiment not only effectively mitigates the odor issue associated with residual benzaldehyde but also offers advantages such as improved raw material stability, lower costs, and simplified post-treatment procedures. Furthermore, by incorporating spectroscopic characterization and column chromatography, the experiment can be expanded into a comprehensive 8-hour laboratory session targeting the synthesis of the fine chemical ferulic acid, thus enhancing the development of students’ overall chemical proficiency.

Key words: Cinnamic acid, Synthesis experiment, Sodium bisulfite, Experimental innovation